Pierre Etaix
Colourful, stylised courts designed by the French clown, comedian and filmmaker, Pierre Etaix.
Pierre Etaix (1928-2016) was a French clown, comedian, writer, illustrator, director and filmmaker, but he trained first to be a graphic designer. He considered himself to be, above all, a clown, hence the designs on the two Jokers. Not only are the court card designs bold, original and colourful but the style and arrangement of the pips are striking as well. The artist’s signature appears on the Ace of Clubs. The back is plain black with a gold border. See the box►
Above: Pierre Etaix playing cards made by Héron S.A., Bordeaux, for Editions Gilbert Salachas, Paris, France, c1985. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm.
Another edition of these cards was produced for ANCE (Agence Nationale pour la Création d’Entreprises), with 32 cards, 2 Jokers, and 11 extra cards with rules for a new game of entrepreneurs. This version had a back design in rainbow colours.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact
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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