Oxygène
Armenian miniatures were Stepan Kiourktchian’s inspiration for this pack for a Franco-Armenian association.
Oxygène is a Franco-Armenian association based in Marseille which, among other things, undertakes humanitarian and charitable works in Armenia. Following a devastating earthquake in northern Armenia on 7 December 1988 which left more than 25,000 people dead, the association decided to raise funds to support orphaned children in the village of Maïssian. Purchasing this pack helped that effort.
Stepan Kiourktchian’s designs were inspired by Armenian miniatures, principally those of a religious nature. Saints and angels adorn the court cards, while the aces and numeral cards show mainly birds. All the court cards are different; otherwise, there is repetition across each of the aces and numeral cards. The back design may seem a little out of keeping with the rest but the three narrow bands in red, blue and orange – set against a green background – represent the Armenian flag.
Oxygène playing cards designed by Stepan Kiourktchian and published by Oxygène, Marseille, France, c.1989. Probably made by Carta Mundi, Turnhout, Belgium. 52 cards + 1 Joker + 1 extra card. Size: 58 x 89 mm.
My pack has no box and only one Joker when there should almost certainly be two, probably identical.
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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