IG Chemie Papier Keramik
Promotional pack designed by Karl-Heinz Schroers for a German trade union with comical bears on the courts.
The Chemical, Paper and Ceramic Union (IG Chemie-Papier-Keramik) was a trade union representing chemical, oil refinery, paper, rubber, ceramics, glass and plastics workers in West Germany. Karl-Heinz Schroers’ designs for this promotional pack for the union include a comical bear’s head where the head of a traditional North German (or Berliner) pattern court would normally be. In addition, each bear holds an article connected with the trades represented by the union. The union’s initials “IG” appear on the clothing of most of the court cards. Each ace features a little bear holding a suit-sign. The maker’s name can be found on the 7 of Diamonds. The plastic wallet carries the logo of the union and “Ludwigshafen” (presumably where a branch of the union was located).
Above: IG Chemie Papier Keramik promotional skat deck designed by Karl-Heinz Schroers and made by Berliner Spielkarten, Darmstadt, Germany, 1986. 32 cards + 1 extra card in clear plastic wallet. Size: 59 x 90 mm.
Reference
Petri, Dr. Thomas. Braun Band 13: Die Berliner Spielkarten GmbH; 2002. p.58, BS 1986/3.
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.
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