Beauty
Pin-up pack closely resembling the more famous one called “Darling”.
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.
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.
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