Intersigma

This attractive advertising deck from Czech Republic mimics Renaissance or Baroque poses, giving the cards an artistic and elevated feel. The Kings of Spades and Hearts both hold tridents, referencing Neptune's power over the element of water. Two of the Jacks hold scrolls with the name of the company being advertised and who commissioned the deck. Each Ace contains a small face. The illustrations use bold colours, especially red, blue, yellow and sea-green. The reverse of the cards is a design featuring Neptune and a mermaid with the legend ‘Intersigma’.

Above: Intersigna advertising playing cards made by Obchodní tiskárny a.s., Kolín, 1991. 52 cards + 2 jokers, 57x87 mm.

Notes from Marek Brejcha

This is an advertising deck for a company dealing with pump technology. According to the name INTERSIGMA, I estimate that it was a subsidiary of SIGMA, which dealt with related international trade. The company's trademark is part of the cards and has evidently also been incorporated into the attributes of kings. The SIGMA company is still in business today and produces pumps. See : www.sigmagroup.cz/historie/►