The World of Playing Cards Logo
Published September 16, 2012 Updated March 22, 2022

Philips Arlita

Philips 'Arlita' advertising playing cards manufactured by Etabl. Mesmaekers Frères S.A., Turnhout, Belgium, 1925.

1925 Belgium Mesmaekers Advertising Philips Add to Collection
Philips 'Arlita' advertising playing cards made by Etabl. Mesmaekers Frères S.A., Belgium, 1925

Philips Arlita

Philips ‘Super Inductance Arlita’ advertising playing cards, in art deco style and based loosely on the Belgian std. pattern, manufactured by Etabl. Mesmaekers Frères S.A., Turnhout, Belgium, 1925. There are various instances of lamp bulbs hidden in the designs. The Joker (shown right) has the legend “mefiez vous du gaspilleur du courant”.

[Click images to zoom] →

Philips 'Arlita' advertising playing cards made by Etabl. Mesmaekers Frères S.A., Belgium, 1925

Above: Philips 'Arlita' Belgian style advertising playing cards manufactured by Etablissements Mesmaekers Frères S.A., Turnhout, Belgium, 1925. 52 cards + Joker, 58x88mms. A green back was also produced. Images courtesy Barney Townshend.

avatar
131 Articles

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

Woodblock and Stencil Joker

Woodblock and Stencil Joker

A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.

1790 Animal Tarot by J. B Dubois

Animal Tarot by J. B Dubois

French-suited Bavarian Animal Tarot by J B Dubois, Liège, Belgium, late 18th C.

1830 Animal Tarot by J. T Dubois

Animal Tarot by J. T Dubois

Early 19th century Animal Tarot pack produced by J T Dubois, Liège, Belgium.

1753 Animal Tarot by G. Larmoyer

Animal Tarot by G. Larmoyer

Flemish Animal Tarot deck by G. Larmoyer, Liège, 1753.

2007 Shrek the Third playing cards

Shrek the Third playing cards

Characters from the 2007 film Shrek the Third, a DreamWorks Animation production.

1983 Jeu de cartes Armelle

Jeu de cartes Armelle

Advertising pack designed by James Hodges for a company specialising in regional cakes and biscuits....

1970 Louis De Poortere

Louis De Poortere

Psychedelic designs promoting Louis De Poortere, a company selling carpets and rugs.

2019 Murphy Varnish pack

Murphy Varnish pack

Reproduction of the 1883 Murphy Varnish transformation pack, USA, 2019

2019 Pendleton playing cards

Pendleton playing cards

Pendleton playing cards inspired by indigenous American artwork, USA, 2019.

1985 Een Kaartspel

Een Kaartspel

Minimalist playing cards from The Netherlands

2010 Specsavers playing cards

Specsavers playing cards

to help you see better when playing cards

2004 On-line offsite data backup

On-line offsite data backup

On-line offsite data backup publicity playing cards produced by The Bunker, United Kingdom, c. 2004....

1968 Möbel-Spiel

Möbel-Spiel

Publicity pack for the East German furniture industry, with designs by Werner-Hans Schlegel.

1986 Clamcleats playing cards

Clamcleats playing cards

Clamcleats playing cards for sailors designed by Celia Allison, New Zealand, 1986.

2021 Old School Playing cards from Moon

Old School Playing cards from Moon

Designed and published by Leo Scherfig

Pretty Frills

Pretty Frills

‘Pretty Frills’ playing cards promoting curtain and blind accessories.

1971 Gibert Jeune

Gibert Jeune

Publicity pack for Gibert Jeune, the famous Parisian bookshop, with designs by James Hodges.

1990 The Saab 900 Convertible playing cards

The Saab 900 Convertible playing cards

A flicker pack with different backs, advertising the Saab 900 Convertible motor car.

1933 De La Rue 1932-1933 Sample Book of Advertising cards

De La Rue 1932-1933 Sample Book of Advertising cards

Complete contents of a sample book of advertising cards by De La Rue

1981 Burgdorf Abschreckhärtetechnik

Burgdorf Abschreckhärtetechnik

Promotional pack for a German steel hardening business, with designs by Costante Costantini.

1967 Glico Almond Chocolate

Glico Almond Chocolate

Glico Almond Chocolate playing cards with designs by Izumi Tamai, produced by Nintendo, Japan.

1959 Scaramouche

Scaramouche

Scaramouche cartes à jouer with designs by Henri Favre, published by Triboulet, France.

Het Nest Brouwerij

Het Nest Brouwerij

Het Nest Brouwerij playing cards from Turnhout, Belgium.

What can we learn from mini-booklet advertisements?

What can we learn from mini-booklet advertisements?

Over the years I have collected a large number of mini-booklets and pocket guides offering rules and...

1880 Des Quatre Parties du Monde

Des Quatre Parties du Monde

Four Corners of the World fantasy playing cards by Daveluy, Bruges, Belgium, 1875-1880.

1880 Joseph Bardou & Fils cigarette papers

Joseph Bardou & Fils cigarette papers

Delightful pack advertising Joseph Bardou & Fils cigarette papers for the Philippines.

1961 Neiman Marcus playing cards

Neiman Marcus playing cards

Cowboys and American Indians on a pack for Neiman Marcus, the Dallas department store.

1985 Wolfgang Dorn Werbe

Wolfgang Dorn Werbe

Designs by Jürgen Pankarz for the 20th anniversary of the Wolfgang Dorn advertising agency, Cologne....

1970 Cartavi

Cartavi

Promotional pack for AVI paints, with 54 different colours on the backs.

1970 La Rayonnante

La Rayonnante

Publicity pack for a French cleaning business, with suit-signs given smiling faces.

1980 Seven Seas Maori Playing Cards

Seven Seas Maori Playing Cards

A Gift from New Zealand

2014 Buffalo Trace

Buffalo Trace

Buffalo Trace Kentucky bourbon whiskey promotion playing cards, 2014.

Sleeperhold Publications

Sleeperhold Publications

Sleeperhold Publications collaborative art playing cards.

1988 Velux International

Velux International

Publicity pack for the Danish company, Velux, manufacturers of roof windows and skylights.

1988 ZPA Trutnov

ZPA Trutnov

Publicity pack for a Czech company making mains receivers and electrical control units.

2004 Washington Wine

Washington Wine

Washington Wine illustrated playing cards, USA, 2004.

1977 Commedia dell’Carte

Commedia dell’Carte

Commedia dell’Carte political transformation cards illustrated by Stef van Stiphout, Belgium, 1977. ...

1971 Kawasaki Trump

Kawasaki Trump

Humorous publicity pack for Kawasaki featuring some of their many products.

1970 Maxim playing cards

Maxim playing cards

Publicity pack from Nintendo for Maxim freeze dried coffee.

1998 Axminster 100 playing cards

Axminster 100 playing cards

Special non-standard pack produced for Axminster Carpets Ltd.

1981 Ilford playing cards

Ilford playing cards

Colourful advertising pack for Ilford designed by Mario Grasso, based on standard English courts.