Ministry of Emergency Situations
Emergency response playing cards published by the Kombinat Tsvetnoi Pechati (Colour Printing Combine), St Petersburg, 2002.
Published by the Kombinat Tsvetnoi Pechati (Colour Printing Combine) in St Petersburg in 2002, this 36-card pack with Russian indices portrays individuals and equipment relating to the services of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. The diamond suit clearly indicates the emergency fire service, while the remaining suits seem to be devoted more generally to disaster management and civil defence. Each suit displays a different badge or insignia representing the specific division/department of the Ministry. See the box►
Above: Ministry of Emergency Situations playing cards published by the Kombinat Tsvetnoi Pechati (Colour Printing Combine) in St Petersburg in 2002.
NOTE: The Ministry of Emergency Situations (Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям) abbreviated MChS (МЧС России) or internationally as EMERCOM (derived from "Emergency Control Ministry"), is a Russian government agency overseeing the civil emergency services in Russia. Established in 1994, it is responsible for managing the Russian civil defence and search and rescue service; providing and developing the Russian System of Disaster Management (RSDM); directing activities following large-scale disasters, catastrophes and other emergencies; and conducting special submarine activities.
By Peter Burnett
Member since July 27, 2022
I graduated in Russian and East European Studies from Birmingham University in 1969. It was as an undergraduate in Moscow in 1968 that I stumbled upon my first 3 packs of “unusual” playing cards which fired my curiosity and thence my life-long interest. I began researching and collecting cards in the early 1970s, since when I’ve acquired over 3,330 packs of non-standard cards, mainly from North America, UK and Western Europe, and of course from Russia and the former communist countries.
Following my retirement from the Bodleian Library in Dec. 2007 I took up a new role as Head of Library Development at the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) to support library development in low-income countries. This work necessitated regular training visits to many sub-Saharan African countries and also further afield, to Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh – all of which provided rich opportunities to further expand my playing card collection.
Since 2019 I’ve been working part-time in the Bodleian Library where I’ve been cataloguing the bequest of the late Donald Welsh, founder of the English Playing Card Society.
Leave a Reply
Your Name
Just now
Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here.
Related Articles
Russian Circus deck
The Russian Circus deck published by the Imperial Playing Card Factory, St Petersburg.
Whatever you’re up to, stay safe
Safety advice playing cards by New Zealand Police and the Wellington City Council.
Wedding of Krechinsky • Свадьба Кречинского
A pack of cards depicting characters from the famous play "The Wedding of Krechinsky" by Sukhovo-Kob...
Safety playing cards
Safety playing cards designed to reinforce the “Think and Be Safe” concept.
Russian folk art playing cards
Russian folk art playing cards produced by Natalia Silva, USA, 2017.
Don’t come back
“Don’t come back” playing cards produced by Hounslow NHS Primary Care Trust and Feltham Young Offend...
Branle playing cards
‘Branle’ playing cards inspired by a 12th-century dance, produced by Noir Arts, USA, 2015.
Theatre of Pain / Teatr Boli
Theatre of Pain / Teatr boli playing cards depicting politicians and leaders in the Caucasus territo...
CCCP playing cards
Soviet and other Communist celebrities depicted on every card, designed by Vladislav Pankevitch.
Russian criminal tattoos and playing cards
Russian criminal tattoos and playing cards, United Kingdom, 2018.
Take Control : Drugs
Take Control : Drug advice playing cards produced by Safer Publications, United Kingdom, 2007.
World of the New Russians
‘World of the New Russians’ (Mir novykh russkikh) satirical playing cards, 2002.
C-Arts
Collective Arts pack designed by sixty-three collaborating artists, illustrators and designers, Russ...
Ministry of Emergency Situations
Emergency response playing cards published by the Kombinat Tsvetnoi Pechati (Colour Printing Combine...
Castle Rock Club
Castle Rock Club playing cards featuring Russian rock stars and musicians, c. 2000.
Treasures of the Hermitage / Shedevry Ermitazha
‘Treasures of the Hermitage Museum’ souvenir playing cards (‘Shedevry Ermitazha’), Russia.
Trending Articles
Popular articles from the past 28 days
