SALE PENDING Double Deck "Erte La Traviata" Playing Cards, Sevenarts of London for Dunhill, Carta Mundi, c.1981

Collectibles : Playing Cards Belgium : Carta Mundi Erte

 

Beautiful double deck of cards with designs by Erte inspired by Verdi's opera “La Traviata.” The cards were printed by Carta Mundi, and published by Sevenarts of London for Alfred Dunhill Ltd., c.1981, in the original leather box with a pamphlet that explains the deck. Each suit depicts a portion of the opera: Act I is portrayed in the Heart suit, Act II in Diamonds and Clubs, and Act III in spades. One deck has blue backs, and one deck has red. The art work on all cards is different, with the pip cards showing silhouetted scenes from the opera and the court cards portraying characters from the opera. The cards are an irregular size, measuring 87mm x 63mm, with gold gilt all around, and each deck has 52 cards, plus 2 Jokers. Fournier lists these cards in his section for cards of the British Isles, but my understanding is that they were printed by Carta Mundi, and so I have listed them with the Belgian cards.

The deck with red backs is still sealed. The deck with blue backs has been removed from its wrapper, but is in mint condition. The box and pamphlet are “as new.” These are charming, lovely cards, appealing to music lovers, card collectors, and Erte enthusiasts alike.

Reference: Fournier, Playing Cards II, British Isles 535.

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Item ID: T0000340