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.
Activity for Parfums Van Cleef & Arpels
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Sanders
A cheery deck in which playing card courts visit the countryside.
Ormavyl
Branded advertising playing cards with modern look made in France, 1970s.
Ministère des Postes et Télécommunications
Famous figures connected with the French postal service, with designs by Henri Simoni.
Pathé Marconi
Special promotion pack for French record company Pathé Marconi.
54 Affiches Retro
54 different old French advertising posters, mainly for travel and health products.
SEMP playing cards
Modified Anglo-American courts advertising a French medical publishing company.
Cartavi
Promotional pack for AVI paints, with 54 different colours on the backs.
French External Trade Organization
Promoting the elegance and quality of a range of French products.
Van Cleef & Arpels
Promotional pack created for Van Cleef & Arpels’ boutique in Geneva, Switzerland.
KOOKAÏ
Playing cards promoting ready-to-wear outfits for women, produced by Compte-Fil, Nantes, France, 199...
Maisons-Alfort à la “Belle Epoque”
Celebrating 1,000 years of the town of Maisons-Alfort (988-1988) with designs by Henri Simoni.
Jeu de Memoire
Jeu de Memoire card game promoting Véritable Chaumes cheese from the village of St Antoines in south...
Chocolat du Planteur
Chocolat du Planteur cards (reproduction) by French artist Louis Bourgeois-Borgex, c.1900.
Velux
Velux - la fenêtre de toit de qualité, c.1990.
Legendary Harley-Davidson
Legendary Harley-Davidson Playing Cards, c.1995.
Cartes à Jouer Héron
Promotional decks by Héron.
Philips Sept Familles
“Philips Sept Familles” promotional happy families game from the 1970s
Chamborama
This “Jeu de Familles” from the 1960s designed by Jean Bachès promotes Chambord glassware.
Laboratoires Modernes
Happy Families game by “Laboratoires Modernes” promoting herbal products, c.1929
Festival des Pains
Festival des Pains Artisan Boulanger (Artisan Bread Festival), c.2003.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
