Gustav Klimt playing cards
Gustav Klimt playing cards featuring familiar elements of Klimt’s work.
Gustav Klimt’s work is very familiar and has become very commercial. Here, parts of just three of his most famous works (including The Kiss) have been used to decorate the double-ended court cards which have added touches of scrollwork. The same designs have (disappointingly) been used in each suit. Metallic gold ink has been used on the court cards, Jokers and box, adding a touch of luxury to the cards. (Unfortunately, the gold shows up more as black on the scans). The indices are in German, using an Art Nouveau-style script. See the box►
Above: Gustav Klimt playing cards published by Fridolin GmbH, Herrenberg, Germany, c2015. 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers in tuck box. Size: 58 x 88.5 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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