Ganjifa™
A colourful pack of round cards with Ganjifa designs by Asha Industries, Mumbai, India, 2002.
Colourful round cards with Ganjifa-type designs (but French suits), made by Asha Industries, Mumbai, India, 2002. The Ks and Qs are seated figures in Indian costume, the Js a rider on a white horse. The same four designs are used in each suit. All four Aces show an elephant with two men aboard, one in a howdah and one being a mahout, with the maker’s name added to the Ace of Spades. Different background colour for each suit. Likewise, a different background colour is used for each of the three Jokers. The date 2002 appears on all the court cards, Aces and Jokers. Floral patterned backs. On the outer box the name GANJIFA is followed by a trademark symbol (odd that such a generic word should carry a trademark). See the box►
Above: Ganjifa-type cards with French suits by Asha Industries, Mumbai, India, 2002. 52 cards + 3 Jokers in a clear circular box inside a square tuck box.
Addendum: Ganjifa Oval Shape by Asha Industries
The same designs exist (one could say squashed) on oval cards. The colours are the same as on the circular pack. The back design, however, is different. See the box►
Above: Ganjifa Oval Shape by Asha Industries, 2002. 52 cards + 3 Jokers in tuck box. Size: 58 x 90 mm.
By Roddy Somerville
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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