Orientierungslauf Skat
Humorous designs by Helmut Härtelt on the subject of orienteering.
All the court cards and Aces in this French-suited pack have humorous designs by Helmut Härtelt (with final artwork by Helge Männe) on the subject of orienteering. These include scenes at night (spades) and antics in the snow (diamonds). The manufacturer’s logo appears on the 10 of Clubs. Note that the design on the back of the extra card is different from the rest of the pack but in the same colours. This was an edition of 4,000 packs.
Above: Orientierungslauf Skat made by Altenburger Spielkartenfabrik, Altenburg, DDR, 1989. 32 cards + 1 extra card in clear plastic box. Size: 57.5 x 87.5 mm. The bottom row (above) shows the design on the back of the extra card, the ten of clubs with manufacturer’s logo, the extra card and the proper back design.
An interesting historical fact is that only one international orienteering match or competition ever took place between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. This was in 1990, not long before German reunification.
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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