Genever Giraf
Dutch pattern advertising deck for Genever Giraf made by Van Genechten in the 1950s.
Belgian manufacturers exported playing cards worldwide, including to The Netherlands. Most of them produced their versions of a ‘Dutch’ pattern, usually accompanied by scenic aces depicting views from different Dutch cities and towns. This example of a ‘Modern Netherlands’ or Dutch pattern deck advertising Genever Giraf was made by Van Genechten in the 1950s. This version of the pattern is considered as the typical Dutch pattern. The four Dutch scenic aces can be coloured or black/white only.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.
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