VEB Kombinat Kali

Salt mining may not sound like a glamorous activity but Hannelore Heise’s nostalgic designs almost make it seem attractive. The vignettes on the numeral cards of this German-suited pack depicting various aspects of salt mining and production have been adapted from old copper engravings, while the kings are four famous men connected with the industry. Salt workers (in different costumes) and shields make up the other designs. All the 7s include the designer’s name and date (“HEISE 86”). An attractive border – in a different colour for each suit – completes the picture. The back design is not in keeping with the style of the faces but rather advertises the East German industrial combine founded in 1970, VEB Kombinat Kali. The history of salt and potash mining centred on Stassfurt – between the Harz mountains and the River Elbe – is described on the extra card.

Above: VEB Kombinat Kali advertising pack made by Altenburger Spielkartenfabrik, Altenburg, Germany, 1988. 32 cards + 1 extra card with text in German, in clear plastic box. Size: 58 x 87.5 mm.

Reference

Braun, Franz. Schriftenreihe “Spielkarten”, Band 2: Die Spielkarten in der DDR (2. Auflage). p.91, AS 1988/5.