Card Tricks
Stereotypical representations of gay men and men they most admire, in a 1981 pack from San Francisco.
San Francisco has a long history of acceptance of gay culture and mores. By the time this pack was issued in 1981, the Gay Liberation movement was no longer in its infancy. The stereotypical figures depicted here include drag queens, a hairdresser, a waiter, a cowboy, a mechanic, an interior designer and a leatherman. A muscular sailor is shown on the Ace of Spades, covering up his private parts with a big spade. The title of the pack, “Card Tricks”, is stamped in gold lettering on the clear plastic box. The word ‘trick’ can mean the customer of a prostitute, which is perhaps why it has been used in the title of this pack. See the box►
Above: ‘Card Tricks’ playing cards published by Hit the Deck Enterprises, San Francisco, CA, USA, 1981. Printer unknown. 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers in drop-lid plastic box. Size: 63 x 89 mm. © 1981 Hit the Deck Enterprises, San Francisco, CA.
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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