Rapalje
Promotional pack for a Dutch Celtic folk band which performs Irish, Scottish and Dutch folk music, c.2004.
Members of the band appear on the 16 double-ended court cards in this pack, dressed in medieval costume and carrying musical instruments and other more traditional symbols. There is a different instrument on each Ace. The Celtic flavour is maintained on the decorated pips, with the layout of the pips also being unconventional on most cards. Early on in the group’s existence there were four members, hence the extra court card. Two of their CDs (both released in 2004) were called “Spades” and “Diamonds” so this pack may well have been produced to coincide with their release. Indices: K, Q, C, J, A. An enterprising production.
Above: promotional pack for Rapalje folk band, c.2004. 56 cards + 2 Jokers + 2 extra cards in tuck box. Size: 56 x 87 mm. Maker unknown.
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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