Levis & Cook WWI 1918 “Playanlearn” Playing Cards. Chicago, 1918.

Levis & Cook WWI 1918 “Playanlearn” Playing Cards. Chicago, 1918.

Unusual and somewhat rare World War I deck published by Levis & Cook of Chicago, called “Playnlern,” whose purpose was to enable U.S. and other English-speaking troops in World War I to learn French as they play cards. At the bottom of the deck it says, “Send Your Boy a Pack.” The design of the cards is interesting. Except for the Ace of Spades and the Joker, each card has a number of phrases and/or questions. Each phrase or question is printed in English, then in French, then phonetically in French. The card values and suits are also printed in French and then phonetically in French (i.e., next to the index and suit sign for the 2 of Spades, it reads, “Le deux de pique,” and then the same words are given phonetically in French). Except for the indices and suit signs themselves, the phrases and questions in the black suits are printed in red, and the phrases and questions in the red suits are printed in black. These phrases and questions are printed against a light background in a subdued color that shows the traditional designs of the cards. The traditional designs are more evident in the black suits than in the red ones, and this listing includes a photo of the King of Spades alone in which the “traditional design” in the background is as evident as on any of the cards. But except for the Ace of Spades and Joker, all of these cards have this subdued background design.

The deck has 52 suited cards, plus 1 Joker. The Joker is an Explanation Card with a pronunciation guide. The cards are wide, measuring 88mm x 63mm, and come in the original box. Judging from the Joker, it appears that they once had gold gilt edges, but except for the Joker, most of the gilt is worn away.