Helmsley Hotels
Publicity pack for the Harley and Helmsley Hotels, U.S.A., c.1986.
Notorious self-publicist Leona Helmsley (1920-2007), known as the “Queen of Mean” in the 1980s, clearly thought that by putting different pictures of herself on a pack of cards, she could sell hotel rooms. In this pack she appears no fewer than 36 times, with her husband Harry on the four Kings. The other cards show hotel entrances, swimming pools, and just one bedroom! There are four extra cards, two with the names of different hotels in the group, and two with cartoons. The pack has gilt edges. Definitely one of the oddest packs of all time. See the extra cards►
Above: publicity pack for the Harley and Helmsley Hotels, U.S.A., c.1986. 52 cards + 4 extra cards in tuck box. Size: 63 x 89 mm. Maker unknown.
Further References
Wikipedia: Leona Helmsley►
By Roddy Somerville
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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