Egbert Moehsnang
The suit signs and indices are clear and easily recognisable, and each suit has a different predominant colour. The juxtaposition of traditional craft techniques with abstract modern design could be seen as postmodern.
Egbert Moehsnang: ‘Abstract Bridge’
Using XV century card making technology, i.e. copperplate engraving, Egbert Moehsnang (b.1927- ) follows the tradition of master craftsmen and artists who create original playing card designs. Moehsnang allows his creative freedom full expression in these “Abstract Bridge” cards which were first produced in a limited edition of 80 hand-made sets. Later the cards were printed by AGM Müller in 1978.
It doesn't matter if you hold the cards up-side-down. The suit signs and indices are clear and easily recognisable, and each suit has a different predominant colour. The juxtaposition of traditional craft techniques with abstract modern design could be seen as postmodern i.e. based on the view that reality is not mirrored in human understanding, but is constructed as the mind tries to understand its own personal reality...
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds
A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 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.
escART, ec-ART, SKAT
Fully illustrated pack printed from etchings by Johannes Vennekamp.
Frauejass
‘Frauejass / le Jass au féminin’ designed by Susan Csomor, Switzerland, c. 1998.
Bourbon Bridge
Attractive, woodcut-style courts adapted for modern play.
Bischofszell
Advertising pack for the food producer Bischofszell, designed by Heinz Looser-Brenner, with non-stan...
Scheffmacher
Advertising pack for Scheffmacher, master painters in Schaffhausen, with comic designs by Fritz Bünz...
Jeu Boléro
Sweeping, semi-abstract designs by J.L. Jolin in red and black only.
Knoll International
Geometric designs by the French artist Jean Garçon for Knoll International, the furniture company.
Marcello Morandini
Modern designs by Italian artist Marcello Morandini using the simplest of forms and colours.
Cartes à Jouer Fluorescentes
Standard French cards but printed with fluorescent inks on a black background.
Portrait de Fribourg
Fine reproduction of a Fribourg pattern pack, originally by Jean-Jacques Burdel.
EPOC playing cards
Modern designs by Brazilian artist Maria Leonor Décourt inspired by standard English pattern courts....
Tavaglione playing cards
Well-designed pack by Giorgio Tavaglione, with courts in medieval costume.
Great inventions playing cards
Great inventions playing cards designed by Gary Wyatt, United Kingdom, 2011.
Swiss Scenic Tarock
Scenic Tarock deck produced by Fabrique de Cartes J. Müller & Cie (Schaffhouse), Suisse.
Foster’s Self-Playing Whist Cards
In 1890 R. F. Foster published the first edition of “Foster’s Whist Manual” which was to become the ...
Sextet: 6 handed bridge
6 handed bridge playing cards designed by Ralph E. Peterson, 1966.
Vues et Caractères Suisses No.228
A Swiss souvenir pack by Dondorf
Baraja Nefertiti
Mexican fortune-telling pack with black and white designs by Thania Nicolopulus.
Skyline cards: London edition
Skyline cards: London edition, featuring iconic architecture, United Kingdom, c. 2018.
Schwyzer Fasnachts-Jass
Traditional carnival figures from the Swiss canton Schwyz, as interpreted by the artist Léon Schnyde...
Joker Tell
Comic celebration of 700 years of the Swiss Confederation, 1291-1991, with designs by Roland Gazzott...
Swiss Souvenir
55 different scenic photographic views of Switzerland.
Standard Swiss-German pattern (single-ended)
20th century version of a single-ended Swiss-German pattern pack for the game of Jass.
Genevan Dauphiné pattern
Unusual example of a double-ended Genevan Dauphiné pattern pack from c1910.
Mini Jass
Pocket-size cards with modern designs for playing the Swiss national card game, Jass.
Fried Chicken Playing Cards
This innovative chicken-themed concept combines playing cards with the aroma of fried chicken.
La Compagnie de 1602
Characters from the annual festival held to commemorate the failed attempt to storm Geneva in 1602. ...
Ilford playing cards
Colourful advertising pack for Ilford designed by Mario Grasso, based on standard English courts.
Imperial Club playing cards
Large index broad size cards by AGMüller using a special red ink suitable for casinos.
Sternenmädchens Wahrsagespiel Tarot
A colourful 1970s take on the major arcana designed by Peter Geitner, with titles in German.
Tarot of the Everlasting Day - AI Generated Tarot
Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated tarot deck produced by Marcus Katz. Is this science fiction o...
Lecardo
‘Lecardo’ playing cards, dominos & word building game invented by Stanley Kermode, United Kingdom, c...
Il Quinto Seme
An Italian pack with a fifth suit of “amici” (“friends”).
Wüst Costumes Suisses No.93
Two version of a Swiss souvenir pack by C.L.Wúst
Roche
Advertising pack for the Swiss-based healthcare company.
Van Cleef & Arpels
Promotional pack created for Van Cleef & Arpels’ boutique in Geneva, Switzerland.
Airummy
Souvenir pack made for the Malta Tourism Authority, Malta, c.2000.
Pentacards
A five-suited set of playing cards published by Fleet and Case Games Ltd., Rainham, Kent, UK, c.1980...
Official England Rugby Playing Cards
Pack celebrating the rugby world champions of 2003. Produced by MMcardz.
Cartes Illustrées
Standard French designs adapted for children. Made by France Cartes for La Grande Récré, c.2016.