Mit Rhino auftrumpfen
Black rhinos on a publicity pack for Armstrong, a flooring company, with comic designs by Pit Flick.
Black rhinos dressed as humans replace all the traditional courts in this promotional pack for Armstrong, the international flooring company. Presumably the black rhino was chosen as the company’s symbol (and as a brand name?) because it is known for its resilience. The kings carry more-or-less traditional accoutrements, while each queen admires herself in a mirror, with one (QH) applying green lipstick. All the jacks wear hats, smoke pipes and carry farming or gardening equipment. The signature of the designer, Pit Flick, appears on all the court cards. The black-and-white backs bear the company name and the slogan “Mit Rhino auftrumpfen”.



Above: ‘Mit Rhino auftrumpfen’ promo pack with cartoons drawn by Pit Flick, made by Bielefelder Spielkarten GmbH, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany, 1984. 32 cards + 1 title card in plastic box. Size: 59 x 91 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

German Travel Cards
A travel-themed educational deck helping American tourists visiting Germany.

Briefmarken-Quartett
Quartet game featuring postage stamps from the Zones of Occupation in post-WWII Germany.

Ben 10 playing cards
Characters from the American animated television science fantasy series Ben 10.

Get Decked
Black and white cartoons devised by Sam Wagner with help from artist Lindsay Bevington.

IG Chemie Papier Keramik
Promotional pack designed by Karl-Heinz Schroers for a German trade union with comical bears on the ...

More Menthol Filter Cigarettes
Elongated cards with designs by Wong Yui Man advertising More cigarettes.

Jockey Club de Buenos Aires
Spanish-suited pack by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd for the Jockey Club, Buenos Aires.

Engel-Tarot
Set of major arcana designed by Alois Hanslian depicting angels throughout.

Virgil Solis
Remarkable pack of 52 animal-suited playing-cards designed and etched by Virgil Solis.

Politiker-Skat by Bubec
Caricatures of world leaders, including many German politicians, by the artist Bubec.

Le Poker Politique
French politicians and various world leaders caricatured by the German artist Bubec.

Leadmill playing cards
Promotional pack for an arts centre in Sheffield with designs by Martin F. Bedford.

La Baraja del Mundial
“La Baraja del Mundial” satirical football deck published by Fournier for ‘Interviú’ news magazine. ...

Simpson (Piccadilly) playing cards
Innovative advertising pack for Simpsons of Piccadilly designed by André François.

Hamlet Cigars
Advertising deck for “Hamlet mild cigars”, a Benson & Hedges product.

Smith-Corona Marchant
Simplified yet colourful court card designs by Avoine for Smith-Corona Marchant.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days