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The Playing Cards of Karl Gerich
Karl Alexander Gerich, 23rd April 1956 — 4th January 2016
The material on Karl and his works have
been gleaned from the excellent research
material published by Mike and Daphne Tregear
Karl was extraordinary as he didn't just design playing cards and then leave production to others, no, he persued the whole gamut of the playing card maker's art.
From his original designs he etched the copper plates. From these plates he printed the designs which then had to be hand colored.
Then the tedious job of glueing the finished sheets to the card board and then cutting the cards to size.
He then produced quite fascinating boxes.
Some packs were undertaken as a joint collaboration with his then partner Georgina Harvey until they ended their relationship.
IN OUR OPINION THE FINEST PLAYING CARD DESIGNER OF THE 20th Century
“Cartes Turques Patience” Playing Cards Pack Number KG18
Karl modelled this deck on the Carte Turgues made by Glanz, later editions by van Genechen, Brepols and Piatik.
This is a piquet pack with 32 cards plus a Joker and two extra cards.
The complete deck is housed in a Green Box with a suited label - the card backs are layered with the same material as the green box.
The cards measure 34mm x 63mm
The double ended court cards are all wearing oriental costumes with the men wearing a variety of colorful and patterned massar turbans.
The aces are a delight - three having double headed dragons and the ace of spades being a representation of Adam and Eve with the temptress snake coiled within the design.
The Joker is double ended with a Turkish man sporting the traditional red fez.
The title card give the Issue Number 18 and the name of the pack..
The other spare card also gives the packs number together with the description that it is made by Karl Gerick and his address
It also incorporate Phoenix rising from the ashes with the word "
RESURGAM” from the Latin - I will rise again.
Cards are first class condition and it is believed that only 20 packs were handcrafted.
REF: KG18 _006
The material on Karl and his works have been gleaned from the excellent research material published by
CLICK ANY IMAGE FOR A LARGER IMPRESSION
Pack No: 29 “Victoria Playing cards” by Georgina Harvey & Karl Gerich
These cards were designed by Georgina Harvey and printed by Karl Gerich.
The cards have no indices and the double ended courts show a variety of normal day to day activities - Shepard, Mason, Fruit Picker, Botanist and other trades easily discernible.
The pips of the four Kings have golden crowns.
The club and diamond suits are coloured Green and Orange respectively.
Some of the pip cards [ shown ] have shades of the dominant colour.
The backs are Green.
The title card denotes the pack design number and the two people involved in the production.
The double ended joker wears the traditional three cornered hat with the waistband reading VICTORIA
There is a piece of paper with Karl’s address and signature
All comes in a hand crafted box with the circular trading of Victoria / PCC /BATH
There were in the region of 20 packs produced.
REF: KG29_055
The material on Karl and his works have been gleaned from the excellent research material published by
CLICK ANY IMAGE FOR A LARGER IMPRESSION
‘Great Model” Playing Cards by Karl Gerich Pack No: 25
Produced from 1987 this pack of 52 playing cards plus Joker plus signature card are handmade in Karl’s style hand coloured from copperplate etchings.
They are branded under the two tigers logo “Dos Tigres”
The courts are double ended and show the traditional Jack, Queen and King in an array of costumes.
The Jack of Clubs has the Great Mogul brand name running from one half to another and the King has a central cartouche containing the Pack Number 25.
The Clubs have a Tudor feel to them whereas the Diamond Courts are Middle Eastern as is the spade suit. The heart suit has a Balkan appearance.
The Aces are of Clubs continues the Middle East theme and serves as a title card for the brand and the maker’s domicile.
The other attractive Ace show various Tigers and Moguls.
The double ended Joker is a jester.
The signature card is signed and dated 3rd December 1990 and gives Karl’s address.
The backs are Pink.
Housed in a handmade box with a picture of the Great Mogul.
30 packs are believed to have been made.
REF: KG25_006
The material on Karl and his works have been gleaned from the excellent research material published by
CLICK ANY IMAGE FOR A LARGER IMPRESSION
Lettische Patience Playing Cards by Karl Gerich Pack No: 34
The model for this deck was one produced about 1940 by Lettische Wertpapierdruckerei the State owned printing company in Rega, Latvia
The cards are patience size at 36mm x 55mm and are a 32 card pack plus Joker plus Title Card plus signature card.
The double ended courts have no indices but the Kings are crowned - simple costume throughout the courts.
The Joker shows a crouched Silenus or Satyr with tumbling suits.
The title card is just that and the signature card states “First batch 4/6 - 9h September 1994” and is signed.
The backs are pink and the cards are housed is an attractive hand made box.
In total roughly 20 packs were printed.
REF: KG34 _005
The material on Karl and his works have been gleaned from the excellent research material published by
CLICK ANY IMAGE FOR A LARGER IMPRESSION
Views of Bath 1992 - Karl Gerich / Georgina Harvey - KG 33 - Limited Edition
Karl Gerich Pack No: 33, Views of Bath – 1992
This was a joint collaboration by Karl and Georgina Harvey by the Victoria Playing Card Co.
This is the Piquet, 32 card, pack and only Six Packs were printed
This is Pack 4 of 6 of this very limited edition.
Spectacular single figured Joker – with horns!
The Court Cards are Non-standard in design and are double ended.
The Kings are denoted with a Crown over their head.
The scenic Aces are also double ended but, unlike the Court Cards, they each depict
two different scenes of Bath.
The cards measure 52mm x 81mm
The 32 cards, plus Joker plus signed edition card are presented in an excellent two part box
The condition is as new.
The material on Karl and his works have
been gleaned from the excellent research
material published by Mike and Daphne Tregear
REF: KG33_1O6
£625.00
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