Les Moyens de Locomotion Insolites
Unlikely, ridiculous or just plain impossible means of transport, drawn by Hubert Rublon.
Many crazy ideas have been dreamt up over the years for moving from A to B, especially involving taking to the air or crossing water. Just a few of these mad or impossible ways of getting around are depicted in this pack with designs by Hubert Rublon (1950-2022). Bicycles, flying machines, skis and floating objects are featured, with the Joker design combining all four of these elements in one mad invention. The pips have been replaced by rowing boats (S), skis (D), propellers (C), and saddles (H) on the Aces and numeral cards. All are meant to have a passing resemblance to the shape of the suit-signs they replace. Means of propulsion also appear on the backs. The two different back colours – orange and pale turquoise – are shown. See the boxes►
Above: ‘Les Moyens de Locomotion Insolites’ playing cards illustrated by Hubert Rublon and made and published by France Cartes, France, 1984. 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 1 title card in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm.
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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