jesterjoker.com

explore the world of the joker

My introduction to the world of collecting had been a little unconventional in that I had been a work place/street gambler. I won my first motorcycle on hand of cards and lost a weeks wage an hour after being paid. The discarded jokers always caught my eye and I was always struck by their individualistic designs and abstract beauty. During the mid to late 70’s the collection total reached 80. Being illiterate didn’t prevent me from forming social contacts, arranging local meetings, attending card related conventions and traveling worldwide. During the 90’s I had whizzed by the 19,000 mark. However, due to a personal tragedy, I suddenly lost all interests, and the collection was stored in dank and dirty garage, for the next 30 years

Fast forward to 2021, interest was rekindled with the discovery of a Facebook Page, called Joker Collectors Group. Unfortunately, the collection had sustained water damage and 8,000 jokers were lost. The jokers that are displayed here are some of the survivors and others are more recent additions.

It is thought the joker itself evolved from the use of extra cards that were being introduced around the turn of the century. These extra cards were needed due to the popularity of playing cards themselves and the new games being invented at that time. The earliest known jokers appeared around 1868.

Most modern traditional decks have since contained 1, 2, 3 even as many as 9 jokers! Decks with jokers are being published all the time, for all occasions and for a variety of reasons, worldwide. All shapes and sizes with a mind-boggling array of designs and diversity. Their appeal is obvious to all joker collectors, old and new.

Playing cards along with jokers themselves have adapted to modern times and have become quite versatile in their use and purpose. Here we have a range of shapes and sizes.

Joker collecting is a relatively new collectable which has established itself in recent years. With the onset of the internet, it has grown exponentially.

Most western countries have their joker collectors but it seems particularly popular in Belgium, The Netherlands and North America. Here collector’s fairs and meetings are held regularly, where jokers and other playing card enthusiast gather to swap, sell and exchange information.

Some of earliest joker collectors made themselves known around the 70’s but it is evident it existed as far back as the 50’s possibly before.

Joker collectors often develop a wider interest in playing cards and become members of various playing card collecting organisations and groups. There are also those that specialise in collecting spade aces or particular advertising backs. Others gravitate towards antique and older cards. Some even have preference to certain manufacturers. There is a cross over of interest here between all collectors.