Parfums Van Cleef & Arpels
Advertising pack for the perfume division of Van Cleef & Arpels.
The first thing that strikes one about this pack is its resemblance to the pack known as “Black Palekh”. That is surely where designer Henri Simoni got his inspiration. Each court card, Ace and Joker is set against a black background. The elaborately costumed courts are divided diagonally. There are snowy Russian scenes on the Aces. Another striking and unusual feature is that the courts and Aces have indices in French and Cyrillic. The designer’s signature appears on the black Joker. The pip cards are plain.
Above: advertising pack for the perfume division of Van Cleef & Arpels. Maker unknown (probably French), c1985. cards + 2 Jokers. No box. Size: 58 x 89 mm.
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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