Gdynia-America Line

Non-standard playing cards produced by Artex (Budapest) for the Gdynia-America Line, Poland, c.1958. The initials G.A.L. appear on the Ace of Clubs and the reverse.

Above: Non-standard playing cards produced by Artex (Budapest) for the Gdynia-America Line, Poland, 1958. English indices. The initials G.A.L. appear on the Ace of Clubs and the reverse. The motorship "Batory" was one of two diesel-powered ships completed in 1936 for the North Atlantic run of the Gdynia-America Line. Almost identical packs were produced for Polish Ocean Lines. Images courtesy Rex Pitts.

“Artex” was the export brand name “ARt EXport” used by Ofszet- és Játékkártyagyár és Nyomda (Playing-Card Factory and Printing House) after Piatnik pulled out of their Budapest branch. It exported playing cards and many other art products, paintings, etchings, ceramics, etc.