Iranian Popular Art
Representing Iranian culture and history and intended for a Persian market, these playing cards were designed by V. Romanowski de Boncza, ordered by the Iranian government playing card monopoly at the time and printed by Thomas De la Rue & Co., Ltd, c.1937.
Iranian Popular Art Playing Cards
Representing Iranian culture and history and intended for a Persian market, these playing cards were designed by V. Romanowski de Boncza. The deck was commissioned by the Royal Iranian Government Playing Card Monopoly (Ministry of Finance) at the time and printed by De la Rue & Co., Ltd, c.1937. The double-ended court figures are wearing exotic Persian costumes from different dynasties.
Click to see: box ♣ reverse ♥ extra card.
Reference:
Update
I'm attaching scans of a Fournier reprint which clearly shows the differences/modifications to the court cards (e.g KS becomes KH; QH becomes QD; new spade suit, etc.) Fournier's 1962 reprint was not a slavish copy of the De La Rue original. Many of the cards were given a 'lighter' look, e.g., KC - eyes and beard lightened, crown slightly cropped; JD - outline of chin lightened and face generally more pink. A later reprint is from c.1979 with the title "Historic Iranian Designs". The single pack also contained a leaflet►
What are the differences between the two reprints?
The Hearts courts and Ace were switched to Diamonds; the Diamonds courts and Ace were dropped completely; the Spades courts and Ace were switched to Hearts; the Clubs courts and Ace remained the same. Totally new designs were introduced for the 1979 Spades courts and Ace. The 1962 pack was on slightly creamier card than the 1979 one. The corners were more rounded and had more gilding than on the later pack. The 1962 pack lies flat, whereas the 1979 pack has a tendency to curve slightly over time. On the 1962 AS, one can read "MADE IN SPAIN" just above the design, whereas this is absent from the 1979 AH. On the 4C, the number '419' has been added at the foot of the design in the 1979 reprint. The back design remained the same (mine is red). Lastly, the design of the packing/control slip changed from an elaborate to a simple one - R.S.
By Barney Townshend
Member since October 06, 2015
Retired Airline Pilot, interested in: Transformation Playing Cards, Karl Gerich and Elaine Lewis. Secretary of the EPCS. Treasurer of the IPCS.
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