Martinique
Original designs from the French overseas department of Martinique by local artist Martine Porry.
Bold, bright, colourful designs by local artist Martine Porry (b. 1954) reflecting the sunny side of the French island of Martinique. Double-ended courts featuring local people at work and at play against backdrops of the countryside or the sea. The natural world is featured on the Aces. The pip cards are undecorated. The Jokers show a jester and a local dancer. Overall there is a strong unity of colour. A map of the group of islands known as the Antilles in the Caribbean Sea is depicted on the reverse.
See the box►
Above: Souvenir of Martinique designed by Martine Porry. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Poker size. Printed by Carta Mundi and distributed by SystèmeS, Martinique. Date unknown but probably c.2000.
By Roddy Somerville
France • 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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