Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Colourful characters from Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel, “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”.
The “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” is a 14th-century historical novel by Luo Guanzhong (c.1330-1400), depicting the turbulent end of the Han dynasty and the rise of the Three Kingdoms in China. It is considered to be one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature. As there are nearly a thousand characters in this 800,000-word work, it was not difficult to find 52 different ones to use on this pack. Note, however, that there are only four female characters depicted (on the four queens). The names of all the characters are listed on the extra card in Chinese. One joker features three views of a tiger talisman, while the other shows two crossed swords. The packing slip can be used as a replacement card, if necessary, although it is on flimsy paper. See the box►
Above: playing cards depicting characters from Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel, “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” made by Shanghai Poker Factory, Shanghai, China, after 1980. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card + packing slip in slip box. Size: 57 x 87 mm.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022
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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