Monic

Published January 28, 2014 Updated December 17, 2021

‘Monic’ brand playing cards, c.1930s

France Tunisia Monic Rami Paris Pattern Standard Pattern

Fairly cheap grade ‘Monic’ brand double-ended ‘Paris’ style playing cards with courts in red/yellow/black. “Cartes Luxe” and a Piquet pack advertising “Le Nil” cigarette papers (Joseph Bardou et Fils) on the box. Earlier examples had square corners and the name ‘Monic’ incorporated in the back design

‘Monic’ brand playing cards with red/yellow/black courts and no borders ‘Monic’ brand playing cards with red/yellow/black courts and no borders

Above: ‘Monic’ brand playing cards with red/yellow/black courts and no borders. Dates and manufacturer uncertain, possibly Tunisia, c.1930s.

“Cartes Luxe” Monic ‘Monic’ brand Piquet deck for Le Nil Cigarette Paper (Joseph Bardou et Fils), c.1930s ‘Monic’ brand deck
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By Matt Probert

Member since March 02, 2012

I have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.

Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.

Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.

I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.

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