Burgdorf Abschreckhärtetechnik

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►

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:-

• Calcio Storico Fiorentino
• Chianti Classico
• La Cour Galante