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Whales and Friends

Published September 12, 2022 Updated September 12, 2022

Whales and penguins as seen through the eyes of marine life artist Robert Wyland.

1985 USA Cartamundi Hawaiian Heritage Playing Card Co Wyland Nature & Environment

American marine life artist and conservationist Wyland (full name Robert Wyland, b. 1956) is best known for his “Whaling Walls”, more than 100 of which decorate large buildings across the world. His work draws attention to marine mammal conservation and other environmental issues such as pollution. In this pack, the designs are bold and striking but (disappointingly) repeated in each suit. There is also a comical Joker. Two different back designs were produced, both borderless. These back designs were also used on the fronts of the tuck boxes

Whales and penguins by marine life artist Wyland, 1985

Above: Whales and penguins playing cards by marine life artist Robert Wyland, made by Carta Mundi for the Hawaiian Heritage Playing Card Co. Ltd., Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 1985. 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm.

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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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