Polit-Poker 1983
Black and white caricatures of famous world leaders by the German artist Bubec.
This is the original Polit-Poker, issued in 1983 though undated on the pack. This one has no manufacturer's logo on the 10 of Hearts. This was the first of many packs with caricatures of heads of state and senior politicians by the German caricaturist known as Bubec (real name Lutz Backes, b. 1938). On the Ace of Diamonds is Yuri Andropov (or Jurij Andropow) who died in February 1984, having led the Soviet Union for only about 15 months. Menachem (or Menahem) Begin and Yuri Andropov did not appear in subsequent editions of Polit-Poker. François Mitterrand’s surname is incorrectly spelt “Mitterand”. The back design is common to all the packs in this series.
Above: Polit-Poker 1983 made by A.S.S., Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 title card in clear plastic box. Size: 57 x 89 mm.
Polit-Poker 1984
This pack was printed both with and without a linen finish. Early supplies of this pack were released onto the market with a spectacular and most unusual error - the complete omission of indices on the black-suit court cards and aces! Presumably this revised edition for 1984 was prepared in too much of a hurry. I have examples of this pack available for sale.
Above: Polit-Poker 1984 with omission of indices on the black-suit court cards and aces.
Above: correctly printed Polit-Poker cards, printed and published by Altenburg-Stralsunder AG, 1984. Images courtesy Matt Probert.
By Roddy Somerville
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.
Related Articles
Songs with Flute accompaniment
Eighteenth century English engraved cards with music for voice and flute.
Love Tests
Vintage novelty “Love Test” cards of a slightly saucy nature but all in good fun!
Briefmarken-Quartett
Quartet game featuring postage stamps from the Zones of Occupation in post-WWII Germany.
Ben 10 playing cards
Characters from the American animated television science fantasy series Ben 10.
IG Chemie Papier Keramik
Promotional pack designed by Karl-Heinz Schroers for a German trade union with comical bears on the ...
Doctor Who Trump Card Game
Game for two players in which Doctor Who and the Legendary Legion join battle with the Alien Hordes....
Disney’s Aladdin playing cards
Characters from the 1992 Disney film Aladdin.
2011 Worshipful Company Pack
Celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Dickens, with characters adapted from drawings b...
Animal Skat, Česká Grafická Unie
A non-standard deck from Czechoslovakia.
Jockey Club de Buenos Aires
Spanish-suited pack by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd for the Jockey Club, Buenos Aires.
New interest in old games
Games once fashionable are now eclipsed by quicker gratifications.
Polygo™
Cards of irregular, four-sided shape for playing word and colour games as well as more traditional o...
Treasures from the Bodleian Library
Rare books, manuscripts, music scores, portraits, maps, gospels, chronicles and other valuable artef...
Engel-Tarot
Set of major arcana designed by Alois Hanslian depicting angels throughout.
Virgil Solis
Remarkable pack of 52 animal-suited playing-cards designed and etched by Virgil Solis.
Victorian grocer’s scale plate
Large flat plate decorated with highly coloured English cards and royal arms.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
