Flying Tiger playing cards
An “eco-conscious” product with fun, modern designs from Denmark.
Sometimes it is difficult to know what name to give to a pack which comes with no text of any kind either on the box or on the cards themselves. On this occasion, I have used the name of the company on whose website (www.flyingtiger.com) this pack can be found. The most striking elements of these designs are that the Kings all have beards, the Jacks have moustaches, and all the court cards carry a sprig or flower in the shape of the appropriate suit-sign and always in green. The same forms “sprout” from each of the Aces. The backs have a pattern of suit-signs, somewhat oddly arranged – differing numbers of rows of suit-signs have been turned, causing this to be a “one-way” back design. The designer’s name is not given. The small leaflet stuck to the back of the box mentions that the cards were “manufactured” in Denmark but “made” in China – a subtle difference which escapes me. There is also the name of a UK importer.
Above: Flying Tiger playing cards made in China for Zebra A/S (Denmark), imported to UK by Tiger Retail Ltd, London. 52 cards + 3 Jokers (same design in 3 different sets of colours) in a tuck box. Size: 58 x 89 mm. Purchased in London, July 2022.
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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