French External Trade Organization
Promoting the elegance and quality of a range of French products.
This colourful pack was made for the French External Trade Organization and the French Committee for Exhibitions Abroad to promote products for which France is famous. The colourful, “in your face” double-ended courts (traditionally named) promote the following products – leather goods, fashion, furniture and fine tableware on the Ks, beauty products, jewellery, ladies’ ready wear on the Qs, and men’s ready wear, accessories for winter sports, toys, gastronomy and kitchen utensils on the Js. The pips have a modern look, with gradations of colour (orange to red on the red suits, and light blue to dark blue on the black suits) and in a non-standard arrangement. On the Joker and on the equally colourful back is the signature “Mezzadri” (the designer’s name?). See the info cards►
Above: French External Trade Organization promotional deck made by B.P. Grimaud, c1979. 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 2 extra cards (one in French, the second in English on one side and Japanese on the other) in plastic box. Size: 55 x 84 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.
Related Articles
French Revolutionary cards by Pinaut
Seven cards from a French Revolutionary pack by Pinaut featuring characters from classical antiquity...
Never Mind the Belote
Limited edition Belote pack with designs by a collective of 24 street artists.
Sannois dans les étoiles
Celebrities and buildings associated with Sannois, a commune in the suburbs of Paris.
Le Globe Céleste
Views and plans of five international exhibitions held in Paris between 1855 and 1900.
IG Chemie Papier Keramik
Promotional pack designed by Karl-Heinz Schroers for a German trade union with comical bears on the ...
Le Journal de Mickey
Perforated sheet of cards with Disney characters issued with the magazine Le Journal de Mickey.
Tarot hiéroglyphique égyptien
The design of the cards draws inspiration from various religious and philosophical traditions merged...
La Réussite (Sébastien Féraut)
Sébastien Féraut’s designs inspired by the animal kingdom for a set promoting patience games.
More Menthol Filter Cigarettes
Elongated cards with designs by Wong Yui Man advertising More cigarettes.
Le Tarot de Sète
Reinterpretation of the Tarot de Marseille by Julien Labat, an artist from Sète.
Oracle Rock
Cartomantic set depicting rock and pop stars, designed by La Rata, with a book by Virginie Despentes...
Jockey Club de Buenos Aires
Spanish-suited pack by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd for the Jockey Club, Buenos Aires.
Jeu Numismatique
European coins of all periods replace the traditional courts and pips.
Jeu Philatélique
Cards with French postage stamps featuring famous literary figures.
Tarot Philatélique
Tarot game pack with French postage stamps on all the courts, aces and trumps.
Jeu Philatélique – Les Colonies Françaises
Philatelic card game featuring real postage stamps from the French colonies.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
