SEMP playing cards
Modified Anglo-American courts advertising a French medical publishing company.
SEMP stands for the Société d’Editions Médico-Pharmaceutiques (a French medical and pharmaceutical publishing company). In this promotional pack, the Anglo-American courts have been modified in several respects: their crowns have been replaced by wreaths, their hair has become more straggly, and they sport floral clothing. In addition, they have been given attributes associated with medicine and pharmaceutics – mortars, pestles, scales, medicinal plants, the Rod of Asclepius (KH and down each side of the numeral cards), etc. The maker’s name and “POUR SEMP” appear on the Ace of Spades. The cards have gilt corners. See the box►
Above: SEMP promotional playing cards made by Grimaud, France, c1980. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 bridge scoring card in tuck box. Size: 58 x 89 mm. The box looks the same front and back.
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 SEMP playing cards
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Sanders
A cheery deck in which playing card courts visit the countryside.
Gibert Jeune (Molière)
Pack offered by the Parisian bookshop Gibert Jeune on the tricentenary of Molière’s death.
Saarberg 79
Saarberg mining pack for 1979, with designs by Fritz Ludwig Schmidt.
Smith-Corona Marchant
Simplified yet colourful court card designs by Avoine for Smith-Corona Marchant.
54 Affiches Retro
54 different old French advertising posters, mainly for travel and health products.
Knoll International
Geometric designs by the French artist Jean Garçon for Knoll International, the furniture company.
Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis
French navigators and explorers on a promotional pack for the C.M.C.R shipping company.
Louis De Poortere
Psychedelic designs promoting Louis De Poortere, a company selling carpets and rugs.
Gibert Jeune
Publicity pack for Gibert Jeune, the famous Parisian bookshop, with designs by James Hodges.
Cartavi
Promotional pack for AVI paints, with 54 different colours on the backs.
Conseil Général de la Somme
Famous people and places of the Somme department in northern France, with designs by James Hodges.
La Rayonnante
Publicity pack for a French cleaning business, with suit-signs given smiling faces.
French External Trade Organization
Promoting the elegance and quality of a range of French products.
Rok playing cards
Distinctive designs by James Hodges for a clothing company.
Le Vieux Campeur
Advertising pack designed by James Hodges for a Parisian shop selling camping equipment.
Parfums Van Cleef & Arpels
Advertising pack for the perfume division of Van Cleef & Arpels.
KOOKAÏ
Playing cards promoting ready-to-wear outfits for women, produced by Compte-Fil, Nantes, France, 199...
Vivacidol
Advertising pack for Vivacidol pharmaceutical product, France, c.1960s.
Philips Sept Familles
“Philips Sept Familles” promotional happy families game from the 1970s
Laboratoires Modernes
Happy Families game by “Laboratoires Modernes” promoting herbal products, c.1929
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
