The World of Playing Cards Logo

M/S Kronprins Harald

Published October 01, 2016 Updated March 22, 2022

Souvenir of Jahre Line Ferry M/S Kronprins Harald

Belgium Norway Mesmaekers Shipping

Souvenir of Jahre Line Ferry M/S Kronprins Harald manufactured in Belgium by Mesmaekers, Turnhout, probably dating from the 1960s as Mesmaekers were taken over by Van Genechten in 1968.

Souvenir of Jahre Line Ferry M/S Kronprins Harald

Above: Souvenir of Jahre Line Ferry M/S Kronprins Harald manufactured by Mesmaekers, Turnhout, with standard English pattern courts. Double pack 52 cards + 2 identical jokers each. Images courtesy Matt Probert.

Standard English pattern by Mesmaekers, 1960s
avatar
307 Articles

By Matt Probert

Member since March 02, 2012

I have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.

Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.

Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.

I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.

Related Articles

1985 Blake et Mortimer – La Marque Jaune

Blake et Mortimer – La Marque Jaune

Blake and Mortimer comic strip characters created by Edgar P. Jacobs.

2018 Santo Mexico playing cards

Santo Mexico playing cards

Santo Mexico playing cards designed by Cédric Volon with Mexico-associated symbols.

2016 Gallia Belgica playing cards

Gallia Belgica playing cards

Gallia Belgica playing cards by Cédric Volon presenting a view of Belgian culture and folklore.

1850 Historical Characters

Historical Characters

Double-ended deck with historical characters and jacks as jesters by Daveluy, c.1850.

1873 Mademoiselle Lenormand

Mademoiselle Lenormand

XIX century ‘Mlle Lenormand’ cartomancy deck by Daveluy, Bruges.

Printing Presses

Printing Presses

Antique printing presses from the Turnhout Playing Card Museum collection.

1980 Club Soft Drinks

Club Soft Drinks

Promotional pack for Club soft drinks with amusing illustrations of different kinds of ‘club’.

2008 High School Musical 3: Senior Year

High School Musical 3: Senior Year

American teen film depicting students staging their last spring musical.

1883 Jeu Quatre Empereurs

Jeu Quatre Empereurs

Brazilian scenic aces with emperors of Brazil, Austria and France and other dignitaries on the court...

1990 Sally Ferries playing cards

Sally Ferries playing cards

Sally Ferries Euro playing cards and phrase pack, United Kingdom, c.1990s.

1790 Animal Tarot by J. B Dubois

Animal Tarot by J. B Dubois

French-suited Bavarian Animal Tarot by J B Dubois, Liège, Belgium, late 18th C.

1830 Animal Tarot by J. T Dubois

Animal Tarot by J. T Dubois

Early 19th century Animal Tarot pack produced by J T Dubois, Liège, Belgium.

1753 Animal Tarot by G. Larmoyer

Animal Tarot by G. Larmoyer

Flemish Animal Tarot deck by G. Larmoyer, Liège, 1753.

1975 Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis

Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis

French navigators and explorers on a promotional pack for the C.M.C.R shipping company.

1970 Louis De Poortere

Louis De Poortere

Psychedelic designs promoting Louis De Poortere, a company selling carpets and rugs.

1985 Een Kaartspel

Een Kaartspel

Minimalist playing cards from The Netherlands