Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones
Publicity pack featuring various historical figures “on the ‘phone”.
The Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones was formed in 1946. This pack probably came into being not long after that. The named historical figures on the double-ended court cards are all depicted – somewhat incongruously – on the telephone! A telephone dial is featured in the centre of the Ace of Clubs, with a red and white label attached to it with the initials “CIT” (for Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones). The company later became part of the Alcatel Group. Strangely, the indices are of different sizes – smaller on the court cards and larger on the pip cards and Aces. What could be the designer’s name appears under the right foot of the Joker but it is too small to decipher. The cards have a glossy finish.
Above: publicity pack for Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones, maker unknown, France, c1950. 52 cards + 1 Joker (probably originally 2) + 1 blank card. Size: 56 x 87 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 Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
David’s fortune-telling cards
Entertaining and easy-to-use fortune-telling cards published by David, Paris, c.1895.
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.
Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis
French navigators and explorers on a promotional pack for the C.M.C.R shipping company.
Costumes Alsaciens
Typical costumes and views of Alsace together with lists of the principal sights.
The story behind some special Jokers
How the “Gibbons” Jokers came into being.
Paris pattern by Leclaire of Paris
Standard designs from a little-known Parisian maker.
Paris pattern variant from Lyon, c1900
Updated courts retaining elements of a standard French pack by C. Gerentes, Lyon.
Paris pattern for WWII troops
Wartime edition of standard designs with fewer colours, a special back design and an overprint.
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.
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.
Phone and smart cards
Phonecards with playing card designs.
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.
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
