Domino Cards, c.1890

Published August 13, 2016 Updated February 21, 2024

Domino Cards by Mesmaekers Frères, c.1890

1890 BelgiumMesmaekersDomino-Suited

Domino Cards by Mesmaekers Frères, c.1890

These children’s Domino cards were produced by Mesmaekers for the Far Eastern markets. Mesmaekers registered a number of trademarks for their export card wrappers to provide legal coverage in the event of plagiarism. The two tigers trademark (right) was first registered in September 1887 (renewed 1933).

The two tigers trademark first registered in September 1887
Domino Cards by Mesmaekers Frères, c.1890

Above: Domino Cards by Mesmaekers Frères, c.1890

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By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact

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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