Crystal Time
Colourful and attractive designs by Violeta Monreal, inspired by stained glass through the ages.
Taking as her inspiration the stained glass windows found in the finest cathedrals in Europe, the talented artist Violeta Monreal has created her own designs reflecting the styles of different periods. The black suits reflect the earliest stages in stained glass design, whereas the red suits reflect the use of stained glass windows from the 17th century to the present day. Each of the court cards, Aces and Jokers has a different design, while the suit-signs on the pip cards are set against tinted panels of ‘glass’. The style of lettering chosen for the indices is very individual, as is the direction of some of the suit-signs on the pip cards. The cards have gilt corners. See the box►
More information in fold-out leaflet in Spanish, French, English and German►
Above: ‘Crystal Time’ playing cards designed by Violeta Monreal. Printed by Heraclio Fournier, S.A., Vitoria, Spain, 1994. 2 x 52 cards + 3 different Jokers, + a fold-out leaflet in Spanish, French, English and German, in a double plastic tray with a cardboard sleeve. Size: 57 x 88 mm.
Violeta Monreal designed several packs printed by Fournier, including Allegories & Myths, Medieval Life, and Secrets of the Orient (also known as Secrets of Far East) • www.violetamonreal.com►
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.
Related Articles
Baraja de la Cocina Española
A celebration of Spanish gastronomy, with designs by Silja Götz employing non-standard suits.
Líneas rojas 2016
Semicaricatural images of Spanish politicians by Jordi Minguell, combined with non-standard suits. ...
Bibaraja
Amusing designs of boys as circus performers by Alberto Muñiz Sánchez.
Paco Lobo
Highly original and striking designs by Paco Lobo for the fashion house of the same name.
Toros: De El Cordobés a Espartaco
Publicity pack for the Spanish newspaper Ya with caricatures of famous bullfighters by Fernan...
Baraja de Alava
55 different paintings by Emilio Lope depicting the history and culture of Vitoria and the province ...
Naipes de Personajes Granadinos
Forty famous men and women with links to Granada, on a pack designed by Rubén Garrido.
El Niño de las Pinturas
Forty-nine distinctive works by Spanish graffiti artist Raúl Ruiz.
Bankunión playing cards
Ingredients and recipes for 24 dishes from different regions of Spain.
Souvenir Playing Cards of Egypt
55 different photographic views of Egypt in full colour.
Baraja Española de Pintores Murcianos
A Spanish-suited pack as conceived by 48 different artists from the region of Murcia.
Secretos de Oriente
Secrets of the Far East playing cards featuring the designs of Violeta Monreal , Spain, c. 1991.
Medieval Life playing cards
‘Medium Aevum’ (Medieval Life) playing cards designed by Violeta Monreal, published by Heraclio Four...
Multicard
A Spanish-suited pack with multiple uses including roulette and dice.
The New Game of Tarot (or Tarock)
Regional costumes and alpine flora on a French Tarot game pack marking 600 years of playing cards in...
Festa Major de Vilafranca 1988
Colourful figures associated with the annual festival held in Vilafranca, Catalonia.
Loewe
Deck designed by J. L. Picardo for Loewe, 1959.
Classic
“Classic” playing cards designed by Paul Mathison inspired by classical mythology, 1959.
Ancient Civilisations
Ancient Civilisations playing cards designed by Celedonio Perellón, produced by Heraclio Fournier, ...
Heraclio Fournier S.A.
Founded in 1868, today it is part of Cartamundi.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
