Les “Œufs de Cartes” de Krasno

Published October 31, 2023 Updated October 31, 2023

Egg-shaped cards created by Rodolfo Krasno employing photographic images by Michel Leclerc.

1981 France Dusserre Michel Leclerc Rodolfo Krasno Circular Photography

Rodolfo Krasno (1926-1982) was born in Argentina where he studied, exhibited and taught before making his first trip to Paris in 1960. A self-taught painter, sculptor and engraver, he became known for his sculptures of giant eggs, hence the ovoid shape of these cards. The photographic images by Michel Leclerc of Krasno’s creations are all in shades of sepia, black and white, with just a few touches of colour on the Kings and Queens. Each image consists of a few fingers or a hand breaking through the shell of an egg, with a thumb for the Aces and the appropriate number of fingers for each of the numeral cards. The court cards are all different but the same 10 photographs have been used for the Aces and numeral cards in each suit. A nipple protrudes through the broken eggshell on the two Jokers.

Les “Œufs de Cartes” de Krasno created by Rodolfo Krasno for Philippe Tailleur, Paris, France, 1981
Les “Œufs de Cartes” de Krasno created by Rodolfo Krasno for Philippe Tailleur, Paris, France, 1981

Above: Les “Œufs de Cartes” de Krasno created by Rodolfo Krasno for Philippe Tailleur, Paris, France, 1981. Photographs by Michel Leclerc. Produced by Editions Dusserre. Made in France. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 double-sided title card + 1 blank card, with paper band, in clear plastic box. Size: 89 x 120 mm approx. © - Krasno-Tailleur, 1981

• See the reverse of the title card

Les “Œufs de Cartes” de Krasno created by Rodolfo Krasno for Philippe Tailleur, Paris, France, 1981
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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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