Ottakar’s Happy Families

Published February 29, 2016 Updated April 10, 2022

Ottakar’s Happy Families designed by Chris Burke, 2000.

2000 United Kingdom Chris Burke Advertising Caricatures Cartoon Happy Families

Ottakar’s Happy Families cards were designed by illustrator and cartoonist Chris Burke in conjunction with a series of murals created for the bookshop in 2000. The cards formed part of an in-store promotion designed to boost sales of books as Christmas presents. Each card has a letter printed on the front which, when re-arranged, spell a seasonal book title. A prize of £5,000 was offered to the first correct entry in a competition

Ottakar’s Happy Families designed by Chris Burke, 2000 Ottakar’s Happy Families designed by Chris Burke, 2000 Ottakar’s Happy Families designed by Chris Burke, 2000 Ottakar’s Happy Families designed by Chris Burke, 2000 Ottakar’s Happy Families designed by Chris Burke, 2000

Above: Ottakar’s Happy Families cards designed by Chris Burke as part of an in-store promotion, 2000. 15 cards each measuring 75 x 158 mm. A prize of £5,000 was offered to the first correct entry in a competition which ended on 24 December 2000.

detail from Ottakar’s Happy Families designed by Chris Burke, 2000
avatar
1,486 Articles

By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.

Related Articles

1910 The Molassine Company and its link to Whist and Bridge

The Molassine Company and its link to Whist and Bridge

A savvy marketing strategy blending Victorian decorative design with Edwardian practicality.

1935 Waddington’s faux books

Waddington’s faux books

Waddington’s faux book set containing four packs of playing cards and bridge markers.

1905 Double Dummy Bridge

Double Dummy Bridge

In the early 20th century several firms began to promote whist or bridge as a game for two.

1898 Ogdens Beauties & Military cigarette cards

Ogdens Beauties & Military cigarette cards

Cigarette cards featuring beauties and military uniforms with playing-card insets.

1996 Boddingtons Bitter playing cards

Boddingtons Bitter playing cards

Cool-looking courts advertising Boddingtons Bitter, originally brewed in Manchester.

2000 AKA M5 Motorway

AKA M5 Motorway

Promotional playing cards for the Hungarian M5 Toll Motorway between Budapest and Röszk.

1999 OXO Faces of the Millennium Dinner

OXO Faces of the Millennium Dinner

Twentieth-century personalities promoting a millennium dinner at the Oxo Tower in London.

1970 Pathé Marconi

Pathé Marconi

Special promotion pack for French record company Pathé Marconi.

1991 Kids Fun Box playing cards

Kids Fun Box playing cards

Colourful cards for children with four non-standard suits connected with the natural world.

1980 Tangle Foot Ale

Tangle Foot Ale

Badger Brewery Tangle Foot strong ale advertising pack.

1970 ViVa Bourg

ViVa Bourg

A distinctive deck of cards for a specific promotion.

1970 Dancing

Dancing

“Dancing” playing cards manufactured by Nintendo for Torii Dance School, Osaka.

1891 Scientific Whist

Scientific Whist

“Scientific Whist” : standard cards with instructions for play on the faces by Chas Goodall & Son, 1...

1985 Agent Provocateur

Agent Provocateur

Branded lingerie collection in a pack of pin-up playing cards.

2012 Shin-Tōmei Expressway Opening Commemoration

Shin-Tōmei Expressway Opening Commemoration

Promotional playing cards for the Shin-Tōmei Expressway, a major Japanese expressway that opened in ...

2021 Nimbus playing cards

Nimbus playing cards

Mike Steer’s weather-themed pack with suits in four colours and backs for cardistry.