Moharrem Press

Moharrem Press, Alexandria, Egypt, was established in 1938 by Walter Scharff, a German-Jewish playing-card manufacturer who had emigrated to Egypt after losing his German business under the Nazi regime. Scharff had previously founded Deutsche Spielkartenfabrik Walter Scharff KG in Munich in 1923, which was taken over by V.A.S.S. in 1931. In Alexandria he established a modern printing works and playing-card factory, producing cards that became widely used in Egypt. Moharrem Press produced standard international-pattern cards as well as Egyptian souvenir and commemorative packs. Its cards are found under names including Moharrem Press Alexandria, M.P.A., and later Société Industrielle Moharrem Press. The company survived Scharff's departure for Switzerland in 1962 and continues to manufacture playing cards, alongside its principal businesses in printing, paper and packaging.