Maquettes for an unpublished WWI pack
Original designs depicting leaders and allegories from Russia, France, Great Britain and Belgium.
Finding original artwork for a published or an unpublished pack of cards is a rare occurrence. These maquettes from World War I were purchased at an antiques fair in Paris in the early 2000s. They depict real and allegorical figures representing the Triple Entente (Russia [S], France [D], and Great Britain [C]) plus Belgium (H). Because of the addition of Belgium and the general style of the designs, it is thought that these maquettes were probably the work of a Belgian artist, although they could possibly be French. In all, there are designs for 28 cards (H = A, K, Q, J, 10, 8, 7, 6, 4; S = A, K, Q, J, 9; D = A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 3; C = A, K, Q, J, 4). The court cards carry the following titles: H = ALBERT I, S.M. ELISABETH, GUIDE; S = NICOLAS II, TZARINE, COSAQUE; D = JOFFRE, RÉPUBLIQUE, POILU; C = GEORGES V, QUEEN MARY, TOMMY. Each Ace has two flags: H = Belgium, Serbia; S = Russia, Montenegro; D = France, Italy (but without the arms of Savoy); C = Great Britain, Japan. There is no artwork for any Jokers or for the back design. There is some foxing but otherwise the colours remain fresh.
It is not known who the artist was or why the designs were never used for an actual pack. It could be that production simply wasn’t possible because of German confiscation of the means of production.
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Related Articles
La Réussite (Sébastien Féraut)
Sébastien Féraut’s designs inspired by the animal kingdom for a set promoting patience games.
Le Tarot de Sète
Reinterpretation of the Tarot de Marseille by Julien Labat, an artist from Sète.
Oracle Rock
Cartomantic set depicting rock and pop stars, designed by La Rata, with a book by Virginie Despentes...
Jeu Numismatique
European coins of all periods replace the traditional courts and pips.
Jeu Philatélique
Cards with French postage stamps featuring famous literary figures.
Tarot Philatélique
Tarot game pack with French postage stamps on all the courts, aces and trumps.
Jeu Philatélique – Les Colonies Françaises
Philatelic card game featuring real postage stamps from the French colonies.
Seminole Wars deck
Seminole Wars deck by J. Y. Humphreys, Philadelphia, c.1819.
Tarot Actuel 1984
Major arcana to cut out, issued with the French magazine Actuel, using photographic images.
Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse
Spanish pattern published by Eugène Boisse, Bordeaux.
Catalan pattern by B.P Grimaud
Standard Spanish Catalan pattern deck made in Paris by B.P Grimaud.
Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité
Political playing cards published by Grimaud et Chartier, Paris, 1872.
Le Poker Politique
French politicians and various world leaders caricatured by the German artist Bubec.
Swiss playing cards by Iehan Hemau
17th century Swiss-suited playing cards by Iehan Hemau of Épinal.
SCOR playing cards
Bizarre and fantastical images by the artist Roland Topor for the SCOR reinsurance company.
Blake et Mortimer – La Marque Jaune
Blake and Mortimer comic strip characters created by Edgar P. Jacobs.