Le Jeu des Musiciens

Published March 29, 2024 Updated March 29, 2024

Artist Silvia Maddonni’s gently humorous take on musicians and their instruments.

1984 France France Cartes Silvia Maddonni Humour Music

Musicians and their instruments have long been a source of humour. One only has to think of the drawings of Gerard Hoffnung. Silvia Maddonni adds to this tradition with her mildly humorous yet colourful and clever images of musicians in situations we can all recognise: the cellist literally sawing away at his instrument (KC), the timpanist turned chef with his ladles (KH), the drummer with arms and legs flying in all directions (JH), the conductor whose notes have fallen off the page (one of the Jokers), and so on. The figures on the Aces (vaguely) resemble the shapes of the four suit-signs. A background of musical notes adorns all the numeral cards. All in all, a fun pack.

Le Jeu des Musiciens made by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1984 Le Jeu des Musiciens made by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1984 Le Jeu des Musiciens made by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1984
Le Jeu des Musiciens made by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1984

Above: Le Jeu des Musiciens made by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1984. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 title card in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm.

The back design is reproduced on the back of the box • See the boxes

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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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