La Baie James
Playing cards documenting the James Bay hydro-electricity project on the La Grande River in north-western Quebec, Canada.
La Baie James (or the James Bay Project) refers to the construction of one of the largest hydroelectric systems in the world. This “Project”, covering an area the size of New York State, transformed a vast network of lakes, rivers and forests into an enormous hydro-electricity complex consisting of a series of hydroelectric power stations on the La Grande River in north-western Quebec, Canada.
Produced by Les Produits T.B.J., these are the first two packs of cards (of a planned five) dedicated to this Project: the first displays photographs in chronological order of the construction of a hydroelectric dam, while the second pack shows photographs of the human aspects of one of the many campsites that were established during the construction process. The photo on each card is described in both French and English, and each pack offers a summary card. It is not clear whether the final three packs were actually published.
1. the construction phase
Above: playing cards documenting the construction phase of the James Bay hydro-electricity project in Quebec, Canada.
2. the human aspect
Above: playing cards documenting the human aspect of one of the many campsites that were established during the construction process of the James Bay hydro-electricity project in Quebec, Canada.
For more information about La Baie James see Wikipedia►
By Peter Burnett
United Kingdom • Member since July 27, 2022
I graduated in Russian and East European Studies from Birmingham University in 1969. It was as an undergraduate in Moscow in 1968 that I stumbled upon my first 3 packs of “unusual” playing cards which fired my curiosity and thence my life-long interest. I began researching and collecting cards in the early 1970s, since when I’ve acquired over 3,330 packs of non-standard cards, mainly from North America, UK and Western Europe, and of course from Russia and the former communist countries.
Following my retirement from the Bodleian Library in Dec. 2007 I took up a new role as Head of Library Development at the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) to support library development in low-income countries. This work necessitated regular training visits to many sub-Saharan African countries and also further afield, to Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh – all of which provided rich opportunities to further expand my playing card collection.
Since 2019 I’ve been working part-time in the Bodleian Library where I’ve been cataloguing the bequest of the late Donald Welsh, founder of the English Playing Card Society.
Activity for La Baie James
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
SCAC Jean Picart le Doux
A Jean Picart le Doux pack with a sea theme.
New Environment deck
New environment deck / Nouveau jeu de cartes sur l’environnement, Canada.
Greenpeace anti-nuclear playing cards
Greenpeace anti-nuclear pack with facts and figures, United Kingdom, 2003.
A Bouquet of Pheasants
A Bouquet of Pheasants playing cards produced by Jennifer Gaudion, United Kingdom, 2019.
Get Bear Smart
“Get Bear Smart” playing cards published by the Get Bear Smart Society, Canada, 2005.
Everest playing cards
Everest playing cards, Nepal
Logger-Reno
A tribute to the logging industry with suits of trees and trucks.
All 14 Highest Mountains, Nepal
All the 14 Highest Mountain Peaks, Nepal.
Birds of Southern Africa
Sapra Studio Original playing cards beautifully illustrated with birds of Southern Africa.
Flying Tiger playing cards
An “eco-conscious” product with fun, modern designs from Denmark.
Greenpeace Playing Cards
Campaign deck for Greenpeace with drawings of penguins, seals, whales and dolphins.
Rat-a-Tat Cat
Rat-a-Tat Cat illustrated by Roni Shepherd, published by Gamewright Inc, Boston, 1997.
Under the Sea
“Under the Sea” transformation playing cards, published in 2005 to raise money for the Marine Stewar...
Marine Lives of Maldives
Souvenir deck from The Maldives depicting marine life in the Indian Ocean.
Rivers Edge Products
Rivers Edge Products for the outdoor enthusiast include magnificent artwork on playing cards.
Caballos Argentinos
“Caballos Argentinos” playing cards with photographs of horses and ponies on each card.
Wild Life
World Wide Fund for Nature-India Playing Cards, featuring 53 different colour paintings of a variety...
Survival Playing Cards
Survival Playing Cards for outdoor emergencies by Environs Inc. 1974.
Bonnie Blue’s Rummy Cards
Bonnie Blue’s Rummy Cards.
Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands Souvenir Playing Cards, awakening the voice of nature and teaching us about the en...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
