Ottakar’s Happy Families
Ottakar’s Happy Families designed by Chris Burke, 2000.
Ottakar’s Happy Families cards were designed by illustrator and cartoonist Chris Burke in conjunction with a series of murals created for the bookshop in 2000. The cards formed part of an in-store promotion designed to boost sales of books as Christmas presents. Each card has a letter printed on the front which, when re-arranged, spell a seasonal book title. A prize of £5,000 was offered to the first correct entry in a competition►
Above: Ottakar’s Happy Families cards designed by Chris Burke as part of an in-store promotion, 2000. 15 cards each measuring 75 x 158 mm. A prize of £5,000 was offered to the first correct entry in a competition which ended on 24 December 2000.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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