Fan DACK Playing CARD
Unusual cards in the shape of skittles, intended for fanning.
* title as it appears on the long sides of the box.
Packs of cards in unusual shapes are not uncommon nowadays (2023) but were much less common in the early 1970s. Hence, this pack must have stood out as being different. The cards are shaped like skittles or bowling pins and were almost certainly intended for fanning by magicians rather than for serious play. A standard design format has been used throughout. On the Joker one can read “72. Y. Kikuchi.”, Y. Kikuchi being the designer (Yutaka Kikuchi) and 72 being the year of production (1972). See the box►
Above: “Fan DACK Playing CARD”, maker’s name not evident but probably Nintendo, Japan, 1972. 52 cards + 2 Jokers in tuck box. Size: 65 x 202 mm approx.
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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