Le Vieux Campeur
Advertising pack designed by James Hodges for a Parisian shop selling camping equipment.
Humorous designs by the prolific artist James Hodges (1928-2019) for Le Vieux Campeur, a business in Paris specialising in the sale of camping equipment (rucksacks, tents, etc.) to young and old alike. Many different outdoor activities are represented on the court cards, which are divided diagonally. Hodges’ style is instantly recognisable, especially on the queens, with their flowing locks. Inspiration for the Joker design must have come from the logo of the business which has been used for the back design and the box►
Above: advertising pack designed by James Hodges for Le Vieux Campeur, made by B.P. Grimaud, France, c1972. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 55.5 x 84.5 mm. The box design is the same front and back.
Note: James Hodges is known to have designed at least 50 packs but apparently he himself lost count and didn't keep good records, in later years not always being able to recognise whether something was his own work - Roddy.
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.
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