Green Cards
Recycled playing cards with striking, non-standard courts.
Apart from this pack’s predominantly green tuck box and green and white back design, its “greenness” comes from the fact that it is on recycled board. To qualify for the label “recycled”, a pack such as this must be made from at least 50% recycled pulp, the rest being virgin fibre. Other claims made for this pack are that it was made in a “Green Mark” certified factory, using vegetable-based inks and with a water-based coating. It is also recyclable after use. It is difficult to know what the court cards represent, other perhaps than a broad selection of diverse faces from around the world. However, a different, strong set of colours has been used in each suit, and the natural world (in the form of flowers, plants, etc.) is present throughout. Floral and other motifs also adorn the large suit-signs on the Aces. The box carries an FSC badge, indicating that it was endorsed by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Above: Green Cards printed by Richard Edward Ltd, Plumstead, UK, and published by Redwood Cards Ltd, 2008. 52 cards + 3 (identical) Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 57 x 88 mm.
NOTE: I believe that “Red” in the name of the publisher (“Redwood”) is simply a contraction of “R. Edward”. Certainly it was Richard Edward Ltd who promoted and sold the pack.
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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