Cartavi

Have you ever wanted to try out a new paint colour but not wanted to use actual paint? Well, here’s the answer! Take a pack of cards like this one where every back represents a different colour and make your choice. The principal colours are on the backs of the (Paris pattern) courts, with more subtle shades on the backs of the pip cards. AVInyl shades with warm tones are on the red suits, while shades with colder tones are on the black suits. Each of the colours has a matt finish. As is usual with French advertising packs (especially of the 1950s to the 1970s), there is a blank space on one side of the box where the name of a local supplier could be inserted, in this case a hardware business in Mortagne in the Orne department in Normandy. See the box►

The back colours correspond with the faces shown immediately above.

Above: ‘Cartavi’ promotional pack for AVI paints, with 54 different colours on the backs. Maker unknown, c1970. 52 cards + 2 Jokers in tuck box. Size: 55 x 85 mm.

What did we do before Pantone colour charts? Here's one answer! Here is another►