EPOC playing cards
Modern designs by Brazilian artist Maria Leonor Décourt inspired by standard English pattern courts.
Although it is mentioned inside the sleeve that the artist, Maria Leonor Décourt, conceived and designed these cards “as a modification of the Standard English pattern”, one may have a hard job spotting any similarities. Only a few recognisable elements have been retained, such as the pikes and the swords and the occasional orb on the court cards. On the Aces and numeral cards, which are ‘cracked’ down the middle’, the pips have been superimposed on an enlarged suit-sign. As all the cards have a black background, the indices on the black suits are printed in white. It should also be mentioned that the cards are 100% plastic.
Above: EPOC playing cards conceived and designed by Maria Leonor Décourt. Made by COPAG, Manaus, Brazil, c2005. 2 x 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card in black plastic box with drop lid + outer cardboard sleeve. Size: 57 x 89 mm.
The name EPOC is derived from the four initial letters of the French suit-signs, as spelt in Portuguese: E from espadas (spades), P from paus (clubs), O from ouros (diamonds) and C from copas (hearts).
• See the sleeve►
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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