ČZ playing cards
Advertising pack for the Czechoslovak motorcycle factory Česká Zbrojovka.
Česká zbrojovka a.s. (ČZ a.s.) started producing motor-driven bicycles in 1932, quickly becoming the biggest manufacturer of motorcycles in Czechoslovakia. ČZ motorcycles finally went out of production in 1997. Only the fools on the Jokers in this pack ride motorcycles. The double-ended courts with red spots on their cheeks are in bulbous, historical costume. The company logo appears in the centre of an enlarged suit-sign on each Ace and also in the centre of the blue back design. Only black and red have been used to create the designs which are set against a cream-coloured background.
Above: ČZ playing cards made by Obchodni Tiskárny Kolin (OTK), Prague, Czechoslovakia, 1965. 52 cards + 2 Jokers. Size: 58 x 88 mm. The artist is uncredited.
For the 60th anniversary of Česká Zbrojovka motorcycle company, in 1979, a standard 'Casino' pack was issued with the two motorcycle jokers►
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.
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