Bongoût
One of the outstanding and most popular packs made by the Turnhout cardmakers was the Bongoût type. Special scenic Aces could be added to packs according to the client’s preferences.
The Bongoût brand from Belgium
One of the outstanding and most popular packs made by the Turnhout cardmakers, the Bongoût pattern is another descendant of the Paris pattern which emerged in the 19th century. The refinement of the design includes decorated corners to the court cards and figures of different colours on each half of the card. With an eye to the export trade, special scenic Aces could be added to packs according to the client’s preferences. Usually these seem to have been Brazilian but some packs were made for Portugal or Italy.
All the major Turnhout makers produced a version of the Bongoût pattern, though it is not known who issued the design first. The designs are permutations from earlier patterns but with the suits swapped around.
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.
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