Chi Chi Pai
Chinese “Chi Chi Pai” Playing Cards by Mesmaekers Frères for Far East market.
Chinese “Chi Chi Pai” Playing Cards manufactured in Belgium by Mesmaekers Frères, c.1890, for the Far East market.
Above: Chinese “Chi Chi Pai” playing cards manufactured in Belgium by Mesmaekers Frères for Indonesia, c.1890. 60 cards in paper wrapper.
Above: the paper wrapper has the spread eagle holding four lightning flashes in each talon trademark, first registered by Mesmaekers Frères in 1886 (renewed 1933). The name of the importing agent is printed beneath.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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