Non-standard pack by J.J. Nunes
Charming designs reminiscent of older, northern European models.
It is hard to categorise packs such as this one – and hard to date them too. The tax stamp (4H) was introduced in 1924 and yet the cards look older, with their square corners and lack of indices. On the other hand, Portuguese packs of this period often tend to look older than they actually are. Maybe the tax stamp was applied to old stock. What is indisputable is that these cards (slightly bigger than Patience size) have a certain charm. They may – or may not – be based on older models, perhaps from Germany or the Low Countries, although there are elements of the costumes and the crowns which have a southern European flavour. The maker’s name appears on the 4 of Diamonds. The pack composition is A, K, Q, J, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
Above: non-standard pack made by J.J. Nunes, Alcantara, Lisbon, Portugal, c1924 (or earlier). 40 cards. Size: 53.5 x 78.5 mm.
There is no wrapper, no box and no obvious title. Further information about this pack would be welcomed by this reviewer.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact
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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