Not your ordinary video game

The Maker

Alain Gourdon was a French painter, sculptor and pin-up artist, better known by his moniker Aslan. He famously contributed to the adult entertainment magazine ‘Lui’ from its creation in 1964 until the early eighties, providing a monthly pin-up.

Published by Nintendo, established in 1889 as a producer of playing cards, until it became the phenomenon that it now is, creating electronic toys and video games from 1969.

The Cards

Issued to advertise the Old Suntory Whisky brand, established in 1899. The Suntory Beverage and Food Limited is one of the oldest alcohol companies in Japan. During the 1970s, the firm issued promotional decks, both erotic and non-erotic.

Distinctly erotic, the current deck is designed in a remarkably western style, with provocatively-dressed (or undressed!) women adorning each card. The technique of photorealism, which had emerged during the 1960s and 1970s, is used by Aslan to create incredibly lifelike images.

The suit marks and values are given in all four corners, and on the pip and Ace cards, the value is also represented by a corresponding number of suit marks across the image.

VAN DE HOEVEN, Marion

Le Jeu des Alliés.

Publication [Breda, Breda Art Academy, 1987].

Description 52 playing cards, plus two jokers, green versos.

Dimensions 100 by 70mm (4 by 2.75 inches).

References Van den Bergh p237.

The Maker Made for the graduation project of the artist.

The Cards

From an edition of 10 copies. As far as we are aware, this is the only deck of cards made with the silk screen printing technique.

VERAME, Jean

2 Jeux de 54 Cartes.

Publication

Paris, Editions Dussere, 1991.

Description

Two packs each comprising 52 offset lithograph playing cards, plus two jokers in each, unopened in original wraps, housed within original card box.

Dimensions 86 by 62mm (3.4 by 2.4 inches).

References Van den Bergh p278.

The Maker Jean Verame (b1936) is a French artist and collector of playing cards.

The Cards

Presented to Concorde passengers on Air France. The Air France motto for Concorde was “Que Concorde rapproche les hommes” (somewhat more in the spirit of the enterprise (although perhaps less catchy) than the British Airways “Arrive before you leave”).

SCHREIBER, Lady Charlotte

Elizabeth

Playing Cards of Various Ages and Countries. Selected from the Collection of Lady Charlotte Schreiber.

Publication

London, John Murray, 1892-95.

Description

First Edition, folio, three volumes, 447 plates, a few printed in colour, generally toned, orinal. gilt-decorated crimson quarter morocco by Leightons (with their ticket).

Comprising: Volume I - English, Scottish, Dutch and Flemish cards; Volume II - French and German; Volume III - Swiss, Swedish, Russian, Polish, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, together with a Supplement of other countries from the collection of the late Jaime Ortiz-Patino.

D’ALLEMAGNE, Henry Rene

Les cartes à jouer du XIVe au XXe siècle.

Publication

Paris, Librairie Hachette, 1906.

Description 4to, Two volumes, Frontispiece, with illustrations throughout, blue cloth boards.

HARGRAVE, Catherine

A History of Playing Cards and a Bibliography of Cards and Gaming.

Publication Boston and New York, Houghton Mifflin Co., 1930.

Description 4to, colour printed frontispiece, illustrated with colour and black and white plates, publisher’s red cloth, worn.