Papier Tigre
Stylised French pattern courts broken down into simple geometric shapes.
Papier Tigre is a Paris-based stationery company founded in 2012. Amongst the games they sell is this pack of cards with a distinctly modern feel. However, on closer inspection, the designs are clearly based on standard French pattern courts but with the constituent parts broken down into simple geometric shapes. Even the colours employed correspond to those used on present-day standard French packs. Only the traditional names are missing. The aces have identical patterned backgrounds. Versions of Papier Tigre’s logo appear on the Jokers and on the reverse. The rest of the back design is composed of the same geometric elements found on the faces, in the same colours. See the box
Above: Modern French playing cards published by Papier Tigre, Paris, France, 2022. Made in E.U. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm.
Available from www.papiertigre.fr ►
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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