Marmite

Above: an advertisement featuring a Marmite jar with angel wings and devil horns highlights a promotion for "Horrid Henry" audiobook downloads, playing on the brand's classic love-or-hate theme.

I don't think German scientist Justus Von Liebig, creator of the sticky dark brown paste back in 1902, could have ever imagined that Gibson's would consider it worthy of designing a celebratory playing card deck. But it's exactly what they thought in 2018, when they commissioned Piatnik.

Love it or Hate it, my mate, Marmite

In no particular order, we have photos of ancient jars, modern jars, special jars, poster promos, newspaper adverts, modern jars, souvenir items, David Hockney creations and even an April fool (Marmite Fabric Softener indeed!): They probably had enough material for two decks!

Each card is a delight on the eyes, celebrating a British institution which has been copied all over the world. The back of the cards has the yellow, red, green logo featuring a "marmite", a French term for a large, covered earthenware or metal cooking pot, surrounded by a contrasting jet black.

Now owned by Unilever, the advertisers have had a brilliant sense of humour, right from the onset. "Is perfectly Horrid", "Please Go Easy", "Use mouthwash after eating", "Some call it madness", "The Hate Party". Of course, there are the varieties, too: Champagne, Guinness, Gold Fleck, Peanut Butter, with a multitude of uses: Scrambled Eggs, Pizzas, in Tortillas, for nursing mothers, gravy, soups, sauces, stews and even for the treatment of pernicious anaemia!

Love or hate Marmite, yeast extract has never looked as good as on a deck of cards!