gejuscards

Playing cards tell a story. About the technique that they are made with, about the style and taste of their era. But also about the thriftiness in the past, as single cards from incomplete decks were used for just about anything that one can do with paper: they were written or drawn upon, overprinted, but also cut, rolled or pleated and glued or pinned to something.
Stationery paper was rare and expensive and playing cards were relatively cheap, had a handy format and a certain firmness. The cards were sold in paper wrappers, instead of the boxes that we now have, and therefore got lost easily.
Already in the 15th century playing cards were given a secondary use for all kinds of goals. A few examples from a wide range: they were used as simple labels, but also for announcements of weddings or funerals, emergency money, i.o.y.'s; for music notations, but also as an aid for p.o.w.'s to escape from German prison camps during WWII; for household use as a spool or a box, but also to leave a mother's cry of despair with the baby that was left at the orphanage or convent.

Their secondary use turns these playing cards into a rare and valuable source of documentation of daily life from the 15th to the 20th century. You can imagine that there are amusing, interesting, remarkable and sometimes repugnant stories to tell. On this page Gejus van Diggele will tell the story behind a different card each month. We hope you'll enjoy them.

Let's just face it: we are in a world wide economical crisis. Most websites try to make some money by allowing advertisements, so why should we not do that too?

Don’t worry, we'll keep it in style. All advertising pictured here is written or printed on playing card backs, done hundreds of years ago. What’s new?

	Advertising card, France, 18th century.

	"For silk vests, one must go to M. Fedrije next to the plaster statue (?) of M. Guietios across from the Comedie." Playing card maker unknown, Lyon. Coll. Gejus van Diggele.

Business card, French, 18th century	IN THE INDIAN BAY TREE. JEAN-BAPTISTE DUBUC, Merchant, Grocer, Wax Seller, Chemist, established on the rue de la Renell des Marroquiniers, on the rear side of Saint Martin-sur Renelle; selling almost all kinds of Groceries & Chemist items, producing all kinds of Chocolates, all kinds of paint (pre-mixed and made to your specifications) for large Projects as well as Small: everything in bulk & on account, for the right price. IN ROUEN.

Playing card maker unknown, France. Coll. Gejus van Diggele.

IN THE HOUSE OF LIZIEUX,

Rue des Fosses S. Germain-l’Auxerrois, almost at the corner with the dead tree. BAZIN, pottery manufacturer to the KING, having a Warehouse and Storage Facility containing Porcelain by Séve & many other brands of Porcelain; Dessert dishes, Chandeliers, Lanterns, glazed Pottery, English Glassware, Etc. IN PARIS.

Business card, French, 18th century

Playing card maker unknown, France.
Coll. Gejus van Diggele.

Business card, French, 18th century

M. PALLUET

Complete Room & Board, Partial Room & Board & Examinations, for the Education of Young People ages three to fourteen. The home is on Rue Mouffetard across from the Woman's Hospital witn an entrance on Rue Gracieuse. It has a lovely garden with very good air and beautiful outdoor playing area for the recreation of the children. In PARIS.

Playing card maker Raisin (Alexandre, Mathieu or Michel), Paris, France.
Coll. Gejus van Diggele.

To be honest: all these cards are paid by advertising. Since 1970 I have been working as an advertising creative and fortunately that did pay so well that I could afford to buy al those fascinating cards in my collection.

The very first book on secondary used playing cards is called ‘Small cards, great stories’, just like the traveling exhibition. Gejus selected 40 examples of reused playing cards from his collection. Items are reproduced from both sides, all in full color, and described in Dutch, English, French and German. Gejus’ introduction is in these languages too. So read all about it!
The 98 pages book is for sale only in playing card museums. Price 19.50 euro.
For distribution by mail contact Gejus here and he will inform you about additional shipping cost to your home address anywhere in the world. All revenues of the book go to the foundation that organizes the exhibitions. Thanks!