Jan Becher playing cards
Publicity pack for Jan Becher, a Czech liqueur company, with modified international courts.
Jan Becher, a Czech liqueur company headquartered in Karlovy Vary (formerly Carlsbad), was established in 1807 when Josef Becher, a pharmacist, started selling bitters as a medicinal tonic. The company remained a family business until after World War II when it was nationalised. In 2001 it became part of the Pernod Ricard empire. The name and/or initials (JB) or logo of the company and of the liqueur are ever present on the court cards, Aces, 2s, 4s and Jokers in this pack. The stylised courts are based loosely on the international pattern, with some holding a glass or a bottle. A different set of colours has been used for each set of courts. The maker’s logo appears on the 10 of Hearts.
Above: Jan Becher publicity deck made by Obchodní Tiskárny, Prague, Czechoslovakia, 1988. 2 x 52 cards + 2 Jokers in plastic box. Size: 58 x 88 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.
Activity for Jan Becher playing cards
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Dielo playing cards
Heroic Socialist-style version of the Four Seasons pattern from Bratislava.
Intersigma
A Czech advertising deck for a company dealing with pump technology.
Czech Bohemian style playing cards
Czech Bohemian style playing cards with a charming aesthetic, reflecting the cultural and social lif...
ČZ playing cards
Advertising pack for the Czechoslovak motorcycle factory Česká Zbrojovka.
Tík Táck vodka
A brightly coloured pack promoting “Tík Táck” cane vodka from Destileria La Central S.A. in El Salva...
Budweiser Budvar beer
Colourful designs promoting Budweiser Budvar beer from Czechoslovakia.
ZPA Trutnov
Publicity pack for a Czech company making mains receivers and electrical control units.
Interhotel playing cards
Interhotel playing cards printed by Obchodni Tiskárny (OTK), Prague, and published by the Interhotel...
Pack of Cocktails
Pack of Cocktails playing cards published by Figure Dynamics in 1985.
150 Years of Czechoslovakian Railways
Czech trains and railwayana from 1839 to 1989, made by Obchodní Tiskárny, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Pilsner Urquell
Pilsner Urquell publicity deck from Czech Republic featuring beer drinkers.
Dvouhlavé Hrací Karty
“Dvouhlavé Hrací Karty” (Czech Seasons playing cards) made by Obchodní Tiskárny, c.1980.
Czech Patience Cards
Patience size playing cards published by Obchodni Tiskarny of Prague, under the brand “Casino”, with...
Historic Ships
“Historic Ships” quartet game from Czechoslovakia illustrated by Jaromír Vraštil.
Čierny Peter
Four themed ‘Čierny Peter’ card games by Obchodní Tiskărny.
Castles Quartet
“Castles” Quartet Illustrated by Vladimir Kovářík.
Gordon’s Gin
Gordon’s Gin branded playing cards themed with limes, lemons and ice cubes, 2000.
Casino No.240
Piatnik-Ritter No.240 - Obchodní Tiskárny Casino No.240.
Bohemian Pattern
The Bohemian Pattern, sometimes called the Prager Pattern, has roots in the 16th century.
OTK Bridge-Rummy
OTK Bridge-Rummy by Obchodní Tiskărny, c.1990.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
