Beauty

The pin-up pack by Bielefelder Spielkarten called “Darling”, designed by Heinz Villiger, is probably one of the most well-known and instantly recognisable pin-up packs of the 1960s. However, it was not the only pin-up pack with designs by Heinz Villiger or the only one made by Bielefelder Spielkarten. The pack shown here called “Beauty” possibly predates “Darling” by a few years. The designs are unsigned and the card size is different, yet many of the designs are identical to those in the “Darling” pack but placed on different cards. The manufacturer’s logo is visible on one of the Jokers. See the box►

Above: “Beauty” pin-up deck with illustrations by Heinz Villiger, made by Bielefelder Spielkarten GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany, c.1955. 52 cards + 2 different Jokers in tuck box. Size: 62 x 86 mm.

Comparison with “Darling”

Many of the designs are identical to those in the “Darling” pack but placed on different cards. Some examples are shown for comparison (“Beauty” above, “Darling” below). Could it also be the case that these two packs were designed for different markets, especially in view of the size difference and the different type of box?

Above: “Beauty” & “Darling” pin-up decks compared. Both packs made by Bielefelder Spielkarten. “Beauty” size: 62 x 86 mm. “Darling” size: 60 x 91 mm.