Estampes japonaises
Traditional Japanese prints adapted for playing cards with certain additions.
Japanese prints provide much diverse material for a pack of cards: humans, birds, animals, trees, mountains, landscapes, seascapes …… all these subjects are represented here. Cohesion across the 54 different designs has been achieved by the use of a different background colour in each suit and a large, central suit-sign on each ace. Sometimes the designs deliberately extend beyond the frames. Less effective are the court cards which are – perhaps unnecessarily – double-ended. The jacks are all horsemen. No artists’ names, dates or titles have been included. On the reverse is a pattern of birds and blossom set against a red background. All in all, an attractive set. • See the box
Above: Estampes japonaises playing cards published by Les Editions Lucine, La Mure, France, 2025. Printed in the E.U. 52 cards + 2 Jokers in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm. Design et conception © 2025 Mon Petit Art
This and other packs available here - https://www.monpetitart.com/►
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact
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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