Grimaud (France Carte) “Oscar Wilde” Playing Cards, Fanto Artwork, Ellmann Conceptual Design, c.1986

Collectibles : Playing Cards France : Grimaud "Oscar Wilde"

 

Extraordinary deck of cards devoted to the life and works of Oscar Wilde, the famous Irish playwright/novelist/poet etc. The conceptual design for the deck was supplied by Richard Ellman, a biographer of Wilde (and noted James Joyce scholar), and the artwork is by Rosita Fanto. One of the extra cards in the deck is a presentation card, which reads: “Richard Ellman & R. Fanto Present the Oscar Wilde Playing Cards.” It is my understanding that the actual printing of the deck was done by Grimaud (France Carte), and that the publisher of the cards was an entity known as “Presage International.” It was published in 1986.

The deck consists of 52 cards, plus 2 Jokers, plus 2 backed extra cards. One of the extra cards is the presentation card with bright red accents noted above. The other extra card is a card that briefly describes Wilde and the deck. About the deck this second extra card says:

“The Oscar Wilde Playing Cards condense Wilde into pictorial form. Three suits are based upon his writings: Hearts are Instigations, Clubs are Images, Diamonds are Complications. Spades are Happenings in his life. Richard Ellman, Wilde’s biographer, has devised the intricate scheme, and R. Fanto has executed the witty and unexpected drawings, with occasional allusion to previous designs.”

All 52 cards and both Jokers contain Fanto illustrations, and they are consistently splendid. The backs show Wilde’s initials against a gold toned leaf background. The cards are bridge size (89mm x 58mm), and have gold gilt at the corners. I have read that the cards were accompanied by a paper insert that explained the deck in some detail, but I have only the extra cards noted; there is no box.

The cards are in “as new” condition, viewed but not used. Gunther Anderson says about this deck at his website: “Find it, buy it, cherish it.” I agree.

Thanks for visiting.

Item ID: T0000236