Nine art-nouveau transformation playing cards
by an unknown artist
Unfortunately I only have nine of these wonderful playing cards in which these 9 pip cards have been transformed into mesmerising Art-nouveau (or Jugendstil) designs.
I have no idea who the artist was but it was at the least a talented amateur with a feel for the the style of the period. The cards used are from a standard double ended French pack from the period. The watermark (used between 1875 and 1945) is easily seen on the scan.
If only we knew about the rest of the pack !
Below: the reverse of the cards.
All cards shown are from the collection of Paul Symons ©
By Paul Symons
Member since February 01, 2016
I'm British but I have now lived in the Netherlands for more than 50 years and am still enjoying every minute of it. I started collecting playing cards in the early 1980’s after speaking with my neighbour who was at that time a croupier in a casino. I started with just collecting jokers, but that soon led me to complete packs of cards and eventually to specialising in old and antique playing cards, particularly those of C.L. Wüst of Frankfurt, Germany. I am presently the Dutch representative of the I.P.C.S. and the auctioneer at the IPCS conventions.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Les plaques émaillées d’Antoine Vollon
54 different enamel plaques depicting silk manufacture, by the Lyon artist Antoine Vollon.
Le Jeu des Musiciens
Artist Silvia Maddonni’s gently humorous take on musicians and their instruments.
Les Saints Guérisseurs et Protecteurs
Healing and patron saints portrayed in paintings, manuscripts, altarpieces and statuary.
Kuzco, l’empereur mégalo
Notched cards featuring toys representing characters from the Disney film Kuzco, as offered by McDon...
Monuments de Paris
‘Monuments de Paris’ souvenir playing cards produced by Heraclio Fournier, c.1964.
Lorilleux International
Promotional pack for Lorilleux International’s Lotus inks, with designs by James Hodges.
Les Tontons du Rock
Caricatures of rock and pop stars in black and white by Charles Da Costa.
Burgundy pattern
The old Burgundy (or Burgundian) pattern by Nicolas Chenevet, Dijon.
Zodiaque
“Les Signes du Zodiaque” playing cards designed by Youdi des Aubrys.
British Monarchs
Commemorating the royal wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer on the 29th
54 Affiches Retro
54 different old French advertising posters, mainly for travel and health products.
Jeu de la Belle Epoque
Jeu de la Belle Epoque, remembering a golden age of optimism, progress and elegance.
Correspondances
‘Correspondances’ depicting the 52 transfer stations of the Paris Métropolitain, France, 1985.
Jeu Gothique
‘Jeu Gothique’ illustrating the Gothic period in France, published by Editions Dusserre.
Jeu Bonaparte
Jeu Bonaparte depicting the extended family of Napoleon Bonaparte, France, 1978
Jeu du Bicentenaire de la Révolution Française
Pack created by Yannick Pennanguer commemorating the bicentenary of the French Revolution and the ce...
Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens
Reproduction of Jeu des Bonnets Phrygiens relating to the Phrygian cap (or liberty cap), France, 198...
Jeu de la Vme
A political pack designed by Pino Zac and published in 1977 by Editions Arts et Lettres.
Jeu des Médecins
Cartoons of doctors and nurses by Pino Zac, published by B.P. Grimaud in 1983.
Colour doodle deck
“1952-2002 commemorative deck” customised with doodles by an uncredited artist, UK, 2011.
Jeu Boléro
Sweeping, semi-abstract designs by J.L. Jolin in red and black only.
Le Giscarte
Le Giscarte political playing cards designed by Eddy Munerol, France, 1976.
Knoll International
Geometric designs by the French artist Jean Garçon for Knoll International, the furniture company.
Cartes à Jouer Fluorescentes
Standard French cards but printed with fluorescent inks on a black background.
SEMP playing cards
Modified Anglo-American courts advertising a French medical publishing company.
Claude Weisbuch
Free reinterpretation of the traditional Paris pattern courts by the artist Claude Weisbuch.
Hôtels-Grils Campanile
Publicity pack for the Campanile hotel and restaurant chain featuring French provincial costumes, wi...
MISSCŒUR
Elongated cards from France with a fourth court card, a Miss.
Jeu des Copains
French popular singing stars of the 1960s.
Marlow playing cards
Visitor attractions and businesses to be found in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
5th Kingdom playing cards
5th Kingdom Luxury playing cards designed by Maria Fedoseeva, USA, 2020.
Dessoris
Spanish-suited cards by Dessoris, Perpignan, which anticipate the French Catalan pattern.
Lyon pattern by Michel Ressy
Lyon pattern by Michel Ressy, c.1760.
Les métiers et leurs protecteurs
“Les métiers et leurs protecteurs” playing cards published by Editions Dusserre, c. 1995.
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Famous people associated with Nicolas Fouquet’s splendid château of Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis
French navigators and explorers on a promotional pack for the C.M.C.R shipping company.
Shrek the Third playing cards
Characters from the 2007 film Shrek the Third, a DreamWorks Animation production.
Jeu de cartes Armelle
Advertising pack designed by James Hodges for a company specialising in regional cakes and biscuits....
Jeanne d’Arc, “La pucelle d’Orléans”
Joan of Arc and her contemporaries in a colourful pack designed by Patrice Louis.
Murphy Varnish pack
Reproduction of the 1883 Murphy Varnish transformation pack, USA, 2019