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Masuo Ikeda

Published September 17, 2022 Updated September 17, 2022

Striking, colourful designs by the Japanese artist Masuo Ikeda.

1977 Japan Cartamundi Masuo Ikeda Erotica Surrealism

Masuo Ikeda (1934-1997) was a Japanese painter, printmaker, illustrator, sculptor, ceramist, novelist, and film director from Nagano Prefecture. The brightly coloured courts have a surrealist look. On closer inspection, many of the courts have erotic overtones, achieved in an amusing way. Non-standard arrangement of many of the pips, all of which have been slightly adapted. The title card carries the printed signature of the artist and the date (’77). Gilt edges. Maybe the designs would have looked better on larger, poker-size cards.

Masuo Ikeda playing cards, c.1977 Masuo Ikeda playing cards, c.1977 Masuo Ikeda playing cards, c.1977

Above: Masuo Ikeda playing cards, c.1977 made by Carta Mundi, Turnhout, Belgium, published by Kodansha Ltd, and produced by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., Japan, c1977. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 title card. Size: 56 x 87 mm. Is that a navel I see on the back?

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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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