Archives
2012 • October
Dilkhus playing cards for India
Van Genechten was one of the most competent cardmakers in Turnhout and they produced almost every kind of foreign pack for clients all around the world.
Leonor Fini
The originality of Leonor Fini's work is evident in these playing card designs. The imagery of her paintings was loosely based on dreams and this led her to be associated with the Surrealists...
Transformation of Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
The best-known fantasies with playing cards are the ‘Transformation’ cards. Hand-drawing ‘transformations’ onto a pack of ordinary playing cards, with the suit symbols forming part of the overall composition, became a popular pastime 200 years ago and a test of skill in drawing. A great deal of ingenuity is required in their design. The earliest printed sets were published at the start of the 19th century, often published in the form of an almanac or sometimes known as ‘metastasis’, and these became a fashionable and entertaining novelty.
In the strict sense of the word ‘Transformation’ the pips should be in their standard positions and form part of, or fit into, the overll image portrayed on the card.
Hundertjahrkarte
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by Matt Probert
A new ‘medieval look’ is intended to suggest the power and virtue of the German character.
Whist No.178 ‘Stuart Zeit’
Although not historically accurate this example is subtitled “Stuart period”, with rich costumes creating associations with an imaginary period sometime before the French Revolution.
19: 19th Century Breaks With Tradition - Unusual Versions of the Standard English Pattern
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by Ken Lodge
The centuries-long tradition of English court cards was subject to misinterpretation and in some cases a desire for individuality. Here are some examples of breaks with that tradition.
Rokoko-Bild No.158
This pattern was published between 1889-1933, at first with no Joker, which was added in 1906 along with small indices in German or English.
Cartes Turques
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by Simon Wintle
"Cartes Turques" was published in 1985. Intricate designs with a hint of orientalism, double borders and distinctive pips.
Salvador Dalí
Based on the standard French ‘Paris’ pattern, Dalí composed his playing card figures out of geometric shapes, like a surrealist tapestry, but retaining the traditional aspects of playing card design.
Pets / Family Favourites
Pets card game illustrated by Racey Helps was published by Pepys Games in 1955 but re-named Family Favourites in 1962.
Graciela Rodo Boulanger
Boulanger's paintings and graphic art works are easily recognized. The Latin American influence is an integral part of her work. The use of light and contrasting colours are reminiscent of her years spent in La Paz, memories of her native country.
Geneviève Lirola
Stylish modern designs by the painter, decorator and ceramist Geneviève Lirola, featuring unity of colours in each suit.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
One of a series of sumptuous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express playing cards produced by B.P. Grimaud for the VSOE gift collection. The 3/4 length court cards depict people in Oriental costumes.
Les Mousquetaires
Philibert "Les Mousquetaires" Playing Cards, designed by Albert Dubout (1905-1976).
Fabrica de Cigarrillos Roldan y Cia, Lima, Peru
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by Simon Wintle
The design of the figures is very agile with excellent colour harmony and execution.
L'Hombre No.60
Dondorf's “L'Hombre No.60” was manufactured for the Danish firm Adolph Wulff of Copenhagen between c.1910-1930.
EPCS Transformation
The English Playing Card Society's 10th Anniversary Transformation Playing Cards designed and produced by Karl Gerich, 1993.
18: Belgian Cards: An Introduction
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by Ken Lodge
The card-makers of Turnhout were prolific in their output and inveterate copiers.
A World Without Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
Card games are one of the oldest forms of entertainment.
Karl Korab (Ed. Hilger)
Karl Korab was born in 1937 in Falkenstein (Lower Austria), the son of a forester. As a child he experienced the horrors of World War II, which influence his artwork today.