Rare Stamps of the World

The idea behind this pack was to inform and encourage collectors to explore the world of rare stamps. All the most obvious rarities are depicted, including two stamps with inverted centres on the Jokers. Most of the images are in a vertical format. The famous British Guiana 1c stamp of 1856 is shown on the King of Diamonds. This stamp is currently owned by Stanley Gibbons, London stamp dealers, who occasionally display it at their premises in the Strand. From the feel of the cards and the look of the box, this pack was probably printed in the USA or Canada. The box carries the legend “Collector Series #1”. See the box►

See the Information Cards►

Above: Rare stamps of the World playing cards published jointly by David Feldman SA of Switzerland and Tower Philatelic, USA, 2001. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 2 extra cards in a tuck box. Bridge size.

Further References

Website about playing cards on Postage Stamps: Playing Cards on the Philately►

By Roddy Somerville

Member since May 31, 2022

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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.