The World of Playing Cards Logo

Jeu de Cartes de Tahiti

Published February 18, 2023 Updated February 19, 2023

Courts and Aces inspired by Polynesian history and culture designed by Michèle Feltrin.

1983 France Tahiti / French Polynesia Héron Michèle Feltrin Ethnic & Indigenous

Tahiti is the largest and most populous island in French Polynesia. The designs on the court cards were all inspired by Polynesian history and culture. They are named “Arii” (= king or chief), “Arii Vahine” (= chief’s wife), and “Aito” (= warrior). The designer of these cards, Michèle Feltrin, studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Toulouse before teaching visual arts herself. Important sources of inspiration for her include Venice, the Greek Islands, and French Polynesia where she lived for many years. She is particularly known for her watercolours.

Jeu de Cartes de Tahiti designed by Michèle Feltrin and made by Héron, Bordeaux, France, for Les Editions du Lézard, c1983 Jeu de Cartes de Tahiti designed by Michèle Feltrin and made by Héron, Bordeaux, France, for Les Editions du Lézard, c1983 Jeu de Cartes de Tahiti designed by Michèle Feltrin and made by Héron, Bordeaux, France, for Les Editions du Lézard, c1983

Above: Jeu de Cartes de Tahiti designed by Michèle Feltrin and made by Héron, Bordeaux, France, for Les Editions du Lézard, c1983. 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 1 title card in clear plastic box. Size: 57 x 87 mm.

avatar
552 Articles

By Roddy Somerville

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.

Related Articles

1865 Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse

Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse

Spanish pattern published by Eugène Boisse, Bordeaux.

1860 Catalan pattern by B.P Grimaud

Catalan pattern by B.P Grimaud

Standard Spanish Catalan pattern deck made in Paris by B.P Grimaud.

1872 Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité

Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité

Political playing cards published by Grimaud et Chartier, Paris, 1872.

1983 Le Poker Politique

Le Poker Politique

French politicians and various world leaders caricatured by the German artist Bubec.

1630 Swiss playing cards by Iehan Hemau

Swiss playing cards by Iehan Hemau

17th century Swiss-suited playing cards by Iehan Hemau of Épinal.

1988 SCOR playing cards

SCOR playing cards

Bizarre and fantastical images by the artist Roland Topor for the SCOR reinsurance company.

Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern

Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern

Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern by Guillaume & Jean Grossard (Bordeaux).

1990 Ubo cards

Ubo cards

Traditional Ubo cards from the Philippines made from tree bark.

1972 Les Jeux de Pastor

Les Jeux de Pastor

Striking designs by Edouard Pastor focusing on the heads of figures from the medieval period.

1971 Le Jeu des Personnages de l’Antiquité et du Moyen-Age

Le Jeu des Personnages de l’Antiquité et du Moyen-Age

Edouard Pastor’s designs in black and gold inspired by Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

1981 Motherpeace Round Tarot

Motherpeace Round Tarot

An original and imaginative feminist tarot based on Goddess energy.

Rouen Pattern  - Portrait Rouennais

Rouen Pattern - Portrait Rouennais

An attractive XV century French-suited design from Rouen became the standard English & Anglo-America...

1708 Archaic Spanish proof sheets

Archaic Spanish proof sheets

2 x uncoloured proof sheets of archaic Spanish-suited playing cards produced for “New Spain”, possib...

1880 English Pattern by B.P. Grimaud

English Pattern by B.P. Grimaud

Standard English pattern published by B.P. Grimaud with engraving by F. Simon, c.1880.

1965 Jeu de Tarot (Catel & Farcy)

Jeu de Tarot (Catel & Farcy)

Colourful version of a standard French (‘Bourgeois’) Tarot.

1972 Smith-Corona Marchant

Smith-Corona Marchant

Simplified yet colourful court card designs by Avoine for Smith-Corona Marchant.