Egyptian papyrus playing cards
Lacquered papyrus playing cards from Egypt with crude international pattern courts.
No doubt produced for the tourist market, these wider than normal cards are made from real papyrus, which has been heavily lacquered. The crude international pattern courts are printed in red and black only. The Ace of Spades is modelled on the one found in packs by the Moharrem Press of Alexandria but without their name at the foot. The back is printed in black, although included with the pack is a thinner, unlacquered, blank card which carries a full-colour version of the back design. This blank card allows one to feel the texture of the papyrus. A second extra card has the legend “With Best Wishes” superimposed on the camel rider motif found on the Ace of Spades.
Above: Egyptian papyrus playing cards, unknown maker, 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra AS marked “With Best Wishes” + 1 blank card. Size: 72 x 88 mm approx. Purchased in Egypt, c1997.
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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