Burgdorf Abschreckhärtetechnik

Published August 03, 2023 • Updated August 03, 2023

Promotional pack for a German steel hardening business, with designs by Costante Costantini.

Eckhard Burgdorf’s family business in Stuttgart was concerned with steel hardening. Being a playing-card collector and fan of the work of Costante Costantini, Eckhard Burgdorf decided to commission the artist to create a pack on the subject of smithing. These woodcut-like designs therefore draw their inspiration from the tale of Wayland the Smith (Wieland der Schmied), a master blacksmith in Germanic mythology. The designs are bold and colourful, with the court cards named in German. Each Ace carries the name of a different quenching oil. The pip cards have Roman numerals, each one including a blacksmith’s tool at the foot. All the cards have a strong black border, one of Costantini’s trademarks. The logo of the business appears on the back, on the extra card and stamped on the lid of the box. This was a limited, numbered edition of 1,200 packs, of which 800 were given as Christmas presents to clients of the business and 400 released onto the playing-card market. See the box►

‘Burgdorf Abschreckhärtetechnik’ promotional pack designed by Costante Costantini. Printed in Italy, 1981

Above: ‘Burgdorf Abschreckhärtetechnik’ promotional pack designed by Costante Costantini. Printed by Alinari Baglioni, Florence, Italy, 1981. 32 cards + 1 extra card in wooden box with sliding lid. Size: 70 x 100 mm.

Other packs by the artist Costante Costantini:-

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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.