Au Vieux Campeur
Advertising pack for a French company selling all kinds of gear for outdoor activities.
Almost 50 years on from a pack designed by Hodges for the same company (Le Vieux Campeur), the subject matter remains much the same: hiking (C), winter sports (H), climbing (S), and water/underwater sports (D). The courts, of course, have a more modern look, including the appearance of a snowboard (JH). The words superimposed on two of the indices on the court cards (AU on the V/J, VIEUX on the D/Q and CAMPEUR on the R/K) spell out the name of the company – a messy touch which adds nothing. The company’s logo – which appears in the centre of each court card and twice on the reverse – has been updated, with the old hiker now having a flower between his teeth rather than an unfashionable pipe. Each ace is decorated with a scene appropriate to that suit within an enlarged pip. The name of the artist does not appear anywhere. See the box
Above: Au Vieux Campeur publicity playing cards published by Au Vieux Campeur, Paris, France, 2020. Made in France (France Cartes?). 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 1 bridge scoring card in tuck box. Size: 55 x 84 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 Au Vieux Campeur
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Jeu du Musée de la Compagnie des Indes
Paintings and treasured objects from the Indies, on display in a museum in Port-Louis.
French pattern (Conver)
French pattern produced in Marseille c.1850 by the widow of Nicolas Conver.
Redrawn French pattern (Héron)
Redrawn French pattern retaining traditional elements.
Costumes Alsaciens
Typical costumes and views of Alsace together with lists of the principal sights.
Jeu Tour de France 89 (Domex)
Cyclists from the Domex-Weinmann team who took part in the 1989 Tour de France.
France, Champions du Monde 2018
Colour photographs of the World Cup-winning French football squad of 2018.
Paris pattern by Leclaire of Paris
Standard designs from a little-known Parisian maker.
Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones
Publicity pack featuring various historical figures “on the ‘phone”.
Jeu de Cartes Éclats
A kaleidoscope of form and colour encapsulated in a contemporary pack of playing cards.
French External Trade Organization
Promoting the elegance and quality of a range of French products.
Le Vieux Campeur
Advertising pack designed by James Hodges for a Parisian shop selling camping equipment.
Voutch
Comic designs by the French artist Olivier Vouktchevitch.
Le Jeu Sétois
A celebration of the town of Sète and its famous water jousting tournaments.
Disneyland Paris
Disney characters deck from Euro Disney, Marne la Vallée, France, c.2000.
Revolutionary playing cards
Revolutionary playing cards with decapitated courts published by ATYPYK, Paris, 2010.
Marie and Laurent’s Wedding
Wedding invitation and thank you card in the form of playing cards. France, 2019.
Vivacidol
Advertising pack for Vivacidol pharmaceutical product, France, c.1960s.
Tennis de Table 52e Championnats de France
Table tennis players in action published by La Ducale, an imprint of Grimaud, France, 1979.
Jeu de 54 cartes
Jeu de 54 cartes, completely anonymous, designed to resemble locally produced French packs.
Alphonse Arnoult Spanish-suited pack
Luxurious Spanish-suited pack made by Alphonse Arnoult, Paris, France, c.1850.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
-playing-cards-with-wüst-courts/images/rijks-1.465ba2b2.jpg "Oude Kunst (Old Art) playing cards with Wüst courts")
