Zodiaque
“Les Signes du Zodiaque” playing cards designed by Youdi des Aubrys.
This is a novel and original pack printed by Grimaud and designed by Youdi des Aubrys in 1980. The court cards display signs of the zodiac while the four elements (air, water, earth and fire) are shown on the aces. There are two identical jokers which may perhaps be a caricature of the artist. The reverse of the cards is brightly coloured, showing the sun, the moon and other elements within a green border.
Youdi des Aubrys has designed at least one other pack of cards: Marionnettes Wayang►
Reference
Fournier Museum, Playing cards II, France 574.
By Peter Burnett
Member since July 27, 2022
I graduated in Russian and East European Studies from Birmingham University in 1969. It was as an undergraduate in Moscow in 1968 that I stumbled upon my first 3 packs of “unusual” playing cards which fired my curiosity and thence my life-long interest. I began researching and collecting cards in the early 1970s, since when I’ve acquired over 3,330 packs of non-standard cards, mainly from North America, UK and Western Europe, and of course from Russia and the former communist countries.
Following my retirement from the Bodleian Library in Dec. 2007 I took up a new role as Head of Library Development at the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) to support library development in low-income countries. This work necessitated regular training visits to many sub-Saharan African countries and also further afield, to Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh – all of which provided rich opportunities to further expand my playing card collection.
Since 2019 I’ve been working part-time in the Bodleian Library where I’ve been cataloguing the bequest of the late Donald Welsh, founder of the English Playing Card Society.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds
A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Les plaques émaillées d’Antoine Vollon
54 different enamel plaques depicting silk manufacture, by the Lyon artist Antoine Vollon.
Le Jeu des Musiciens
Artist Silvia Maddonni’s gently humorous take on musicians and their instruments.
Les Saints Guérisseurs et Protecteurs
Healing and patron saints portrayed in paintings, manuscripts, altarpieces and statuary.
Kuzco, l’empereur mégalo
Notched cards featuring toys representing characters from the Disney film Kuzco, as offered by McDon...
Monuments de Paris
‘Monuments de Paris’ souvenir playing cards produced by Heraclio Fournier, c.1964.
Lorilleux International
Promotional pack for Lorilleux International’s Lotus inks, with designs by James Hodges.
Les Tontons du Rock
Caricatures of rock and pop stars in black and white by Charles Da Costa.
Burgundy pattern
The old Burgundy (or Burgundian) pattern by Nicolas Chenevet, Dijon.
Zodiaque
“Les Signes du Zodiaque” playing cards designed by Youdi des Aubrys.
British Monarchs
Commemorating the royal wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on the 29th
54 Affiches Retro
54 different old French advertising posters, mainly for travel and health products.
Jeu de la Belle Epoque
Jeu de la Belle Epoque, remembering a golden age of optimism, progress and elegance.
Correspondances
‘Correspondances’ depicting the 52 transfer stations of the Paris Métropolitain, France, 1985.
Jeu Gothique
‘Jeu Gothique’ illustrating the Gothic period in France, published by Editions Dusserre.
Jeu Bonaparte
Jeu Bonaparte depicting the extended family of Napoleon Bonaparte, France, 1978
Jeu du Bicentenaire de la Révolution Française
Pack created by Yannick Pennanguer commemorating the bicentenary of the French Revolution and the ce...
Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens
Reproduction of Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens relating to the Phrygian cap (or liberty cap), France, 198...
Jeu de la Vme
A political pack designed by Pino Zac and published in 1977 by Editions Arts et Lettres.
Jeu des Médecins
Cartoons of doctors and nurses by Pino Zac, published by B.P. Grimaud in 1983.
Jeu Boléro
Sweeping, semi-abstract designs by J.L. Jolin in red and black only.
Le Giscarte
Le Giscarte political playing cards designed by Eddy Munerol, France, 1976.
Knoll International
Geometric designs by the French artist Jean Garçon for Knoll International, the furniture company.
Cartes à Jouer Fluorescentes
Standard French cards but printed with fluorescent inks on a black background.
SEMP playing cards
Modified Anglo-American courts advertising a French medical publishing company.
Claude Weisbuch
Free reinterpretation of the traditional Paris pattern courts by the artist Claude Weisbuch.
Hôtels-Grils Campanile
Publicity pack for the Campanile hotel and restaurant chain featuring French provincial costumes, wi...
MISSCŒUR
Elongated cards from France with a fourth court card, a Miss.
Jeu des Copains
French popular singing stars of the 1960s.
Dessoris
Spanish-suited cards by Dessoris, Perpignan, which anticipate the French Catalan pattern.
Lyon pattern by Michel Ressy
Lyon pattern by Michel Ressy, c.1760.
From Empire to Commonwealth
Flags, locations and admission dates of 52 Commonwealth countries.
Les métiers et leurs protecteurs
“Les métiers et leurs protecteurs” playing cards published by Editions Dusserre, c. 1995.
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Famous people associated with Nicolas Fouquet’s splendid château of Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis
French navigators and explorers on a promotional pack for the C.M.C.R shipping company.
Shrek the Third playing cards
Characters from the 2007 film Shrek the Third, a DreamWorks Animation production.
Jeu de cartes Armelle
Advertising pack designed by James Hodges for a company specialising in regional cakes and biscuits....
Jeanne d’Arc, “La pucelle d’Orléans”
Joan of Arc and her contemporaries in a colourful pack designed by Patrice Louis.
Louis De Poortere
Psychedelic designs promoting Louis De Poortere, a company selling carpets and rugs.
Costumes Alsaciens
Typical costumes and views of Alsace together with lists of the principal sights.
Les “Œufs de Cartes” de Krasno
Egg-shaped cards created by Rodolfo Krasno employing photographic images by Michel Leclerc.