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.
This pack must count as both a modern classic and a modern rarity. The artist, Edouard Pastor (1932-2007), better known for bronze sculptures, was inspired by Antiquity and the Middle Ages in the creation of these designs executed in screenprint. Apart from the red suit-signs, only black and gold colours have been used. The court cards are striking full-length figures, with (almost) naked queens. Each ace pip is set within a gold circle. The cards are oversize and are housed in a red presentation box with a black front leaf , half of which is pasted inside the front cover. This leaf carries a dedication to the artist by Jean Cocteau. A pattern of red and gold ‘nuts’ on a black background forms the back design.
Above: Le Jeu des Personnages de l’Antiquité et du Moyen-Age designed and published by Edouard Pastor, France, 1971. 52 cards + 2 Jokers in red presentation box with hinged lid. Size: 85 x 130 mm. Unknown printer.
A further edition of these cards carries the wording “EDITIONS B.O.A.” on the front leaf.
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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