IG Chemie Papier Keramik
Promotional pack designed by Karl-Heinz Schroers for a German trade union with comical bears on the courts.
The Chemical, Paper and Ceramic Union (IG Chemie-Papier-Keramik) was a trade union representing chemical, oil refinery, paper, rubber, ceramics, glass and plastics workers in West Germany. Karl-Heinz Schroers’ designs for this promotional pack for the union include a comical bear’s head where the head of a traditional North German (or Berliner) pattern court would normally be. In addition, each bear holds an article connected with the trades represented by the union. The union’s initials “IG” appear on the clothing of most of the court cards. Each ace features a little bear holding a suit-sign. The maker’s name can be found on the 7 of Diamonds. The plastic wallet carries the logo of the union and “Ludwigshafen” (presumably where a branch of the union was located).



Above: IG Chemie Papier Keramik promotional skat deck designed by Karl-Heinz Schroers and made by Berliner Spielkarten, Darmstadt, Germany, 1986. 32 cards + 1 extra card in clear plastic wallet. Size: 59 x 90 mm.
Reference
Petri, Dr. Thomas. Braun Band 13: Die Berliner Spielkarten GmbH; 2002. p.58, BS 1986/3.

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

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.

Animal Skat, Česká Grafická Unie
A non-standard deck from Czechoslovakia.

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