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Published July 26, 2017 Updated March 30, 2022

Classic

“Classic” playing cards designed by Paul Mathison inspired by classical mythology, 1959.

1959 Spain Heraclio Fournier Paul Mathison Art & Design Myths & Legends Add to Collection

“Classic” playing cards designed by Paul Mathison for Lanselle Co., 1959. The court cards are inspired by classical mythological figures and are double-ended but different at each end. See the explanatory leaflet

“Classic” playing cards designed by Paul Mathison, 1959

Above: “Classic” playing cards designed by Paul Mathison and printed by Heraclio Fournier S.A., 1959 & 1970. The four aces (shown above) incorporate both French and Spanish suit symbols. 52 cards + 2 jokers + leaflet in box. This is the second edition of 1970. The four of clubs has the black exportation tax stamp used after 1964.

CREDITS & REFERENCES

García Martín, Enrique: La Baraja Francesa de figuras dobles de Heraclio Fournier, La Sota Nº 29, 2003

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By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)

Member since January 30, 2009

Rex's main interest was in card games, because, he said, they were cheap and easy to get hold of in his early days of collecting. He is well known for his extensive knowledge of Pepys games and his book is on the bookshelves of many.

His other interest was non-standard playing cards. He also had collections of sheet music, music CDs, models of London buses, London Transport timetables and maps and other objects that intrigued him.

Rex had a chequered career at school. He was expelled twice, on one occasion for smoking! Despite this he trained as a radio engineer and worked for the BBC in the World Service.

Later he moved into sales and worked for a firm that made all kinds of packaging, a job he enjoyed until his retirement. He became an expert on boxes and would always investigate those that held his cards. He could always recognize a box made for Pepys, which were the same as those of Alf Cooke’s Universal Playing Card Company, who printed the card games. This interest changed into an ability to make and mend boxes, which he did with great dexterity. He loved this kind of handicraft work.

His dexterity of hand and eye soon led to his making card games of his own design. He spent hours and hours carefully cutting them out and colouring them by hand.


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