Card playing is not known to be a Purim pastime, but maybe along with Megilla reading and shalah manot it should be. Especially if we mandate using cards with images of Queen Esther and other Jewish heroes. Playing cards created by artist Arthur Szyk—best known for his illuminated Haggada and World War II anti-fascist art—and never before published are now available from Historicana with a companion booklet. Heroes of Ancient Israel: The Playing Card Art of Arthur Szyk, written by Allison Clair Chang, describes the 12 richly colored and costumed court figures originally depicted by Szyk in watercolor and gouache and gives a brief history of playing cards.

In the 1930s, the Polish-born artist created the four Kings, four Queens (though not all were actually queens) and four Jacks. In his inimitable style, the portraits extol great leaders in Jewish history (though some are lesser known). Spades are King Saul, Queen Esther and Judah Maccabee; clubs are King David, Judith and Bar-Kochba; hearts are King Solomon, Ruth and John of Giscala (a Zealot leader in the Roman war); diamonds, King Hezekiah, Deborah and Simon bar Giora. All are handsome, somber and bejeweled, wearing crowns or headdresses. But there are differences: Judah Maccabee is holding a spear and shield; Ruth, a convert is the only figure who is blonde.

The publication price of the deluxe limited-edition box set is quite high, however, $895 (www.szyk.com). It includes a handcrafted box of Japanese blue silk rayon and leather; a suite of 12 limited-edition, fine-art prints; the collector’s deck; a player’s deck; and the companion volume. Happy Purim!