No.14 Rouennais
As far as is known, ‘Rouennais’ has only ever been produced as a sheet of etched court cards and aces. The designs are based on the early playing cards produced in Rouen (France) which became the antecedents of the standard English pattern.
Karl Gerich No.14: ‘Rouennais’
As far as is known, ‘Rouennais’ has only ever been produced as a sheet of etched court cards and aces. Only three proof sheets have been taken (possibly), one of which was coloured and intended for submission to the Royal Academy open exhibition. However, the entry date was missed and the sheet was sold. The designs are supposed to be based on the early playing cards produced in Rouen (France) which became the antecedents of the standard English pattern. The pictorial Aces, of course, are Karl's own design. Here and there we can recognise motifs and ideas which are developed more fully in some of Karl's other packs.
Above: uncoloured proof sheet of Karl Gerich's ‘Rouennais’ playing cards No.14, which was never completed. Images courtesy Barney Townshend.
References:
♣ Tregear, Mike and Daphne, "Karl Gerich: Card Designer and Maker", privately published.
Copyright:
Copyright for all images remains the property of the Artist.
By Barney Townshend
Member since October 06, 2015
Retired Airline Pilot, interested in: Transformation Playing Cards, Karl Gerich and Elaine Lewis. Secretary of the EPCS. Treasurer of the IPCS.
Related Articles
Double Dummy Bridge
In the early 20th century several firms began to promote whist or bridge as a game for two.
Ogdens Beauties & Military cigarette cards
Cigarette cards featuring beauties and military uniforms with playing-card insets.
Boddingtons Bitter playing cards
Cool-looking courts advertising Boddingtons Bitter, originally brewed in Manchester.
OXO Faces of the Millennium Dinner
Twentieth-century personalities promoting a millennium dinner at the Oxo Tower in London.
Kids Fun Box playing cards
Colourful cards for children with four non-standard suits connected with the natural world.
Tangle Foot Ale
Badger Brewery Tangle Foot strong ale advertising pack.
Scientific Whist
“Scientific Whist” : standard cards with instructions for play on the faces by Chas Goodall & Son, 1...
Agent Provocateur
Branded lingerie collection in a pack of pin-up playing cards.
Nimbus playing cards
Mike Steer’s weather-themed pack with suits in four colours and backs for cardistry.
Agatha Christie and Playing Cards revisited
Agatha Christie uses card-play as a primary focus of a story, and as a way of creating plots and mot...
The Decadent Deck
Studies in the eroticism of the female body by Inge Clayton.
Historic Shakespeare
“Historic Shakespeare” playing cards featuring Shakespearean characters by Chas Goodall & Son.
Copechat Paramount Sorting System
Preserving the past: a specimen deck showcasing edge-notched cards and their ingenious sorting syste...
Heartsette by Herbert Fitch & Co, 1893
A glimpse into a busy print and design office in late Victorian London.
Batman® playing cards
Batman playing cards published by InterCol of London 1989.
Can You Believe Your Eyes?
“Can You Believe Your Eyes?” playing cards featuring visual illusions & other oddities.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
