Venice Simplon Orient Express Playing Cards

[Räpylätassu]

NOTE: This deck is not to be confused with the two others by the same name, Cartes Indiennes reproduction and The Waddingtons printed version from the 90's

Venice Simplon Orient Express, printed by Grimaud, designed by the studio of Gerard Gallet in Paris in 1984. The designs of the court cards are inspired by the passengers of luxury trains in the 1920's and 1930's. The deck always comes as a double deck, I have seen at least two types of boxes.

Example 1:







Example 2:





The pictures of example 1 are of the set that is waiting for me on Sherman's place in California

Finally good quality scans of the court cards, by WOPC:





Personally I really enjoy the design. It is not as spectacular as the Cartes Indiennes 1985 reproduction, but certainly better looking than the Waddington's version. I am really looking foward to receiving it from Sherman, at some point.

There really isn't a good deal for this deck on ebay as of right now, there are a couple of listings but the prices are really high. I bought mine for 50 USD. The starting bid was only for 30 bucks, which was ridicilously low. I didn't want to bid for it, so I made an offer for 50 bucks, which the seller quickly accepted. I got lucky. Hmm, well there is this one with a starting bid of 75 £ or make an offer... All the others are close to 200 USD. I will keep you updated if I see any good deals for this set

[Harvonsgard]

Wow... that first box set especially is pretty nice. If it has the VSOE logo on the lid as well in gold foil, like that cardboard box ... .
A super tiny gripe I have with older European decks is that a lot cut the court pips.
Other than that, no complaints at all. Beautiful courts and I oddly love decks that have the 1s instead of aces.

[Räpylätassu]

Just won an auction for this set! 42 £ + 5 £ for shipping. Never seen these in this wooden box before.

Now I will have two of these, though this one hasn't yet shipped and the other one is still in California, but I might receive it in the spring, we'll see. I think that I shall open the cards in this wooden box set and let's see what I will do with the other one. Will most likely keep it in the collection unopened for a while and then see if there is a trade to be made with it

[Harvonsgard]

That's a pretty nice price for that deck + wood box. Congrats on that catch.

[brownsl]

Here are my VSOE decks.

[Bradius]

Nice collections. The VSOE cards are some of the best ever in my opinion. I can't fault anyone for going crazy to get any of these, especially a nice one. Congrats Roope on that amazing find. If anyone deserves it, it is you. You have been hunting them with an amazing passion. Thanks for sharing it with me.

[Harvonsgard]

Haha, I see you thought when you're at it you post the other vintage decks as well @brownsl. Great pieces. Love to see em all. Thanks for sharing; you don't come acroos good pictures of them very often.

[Räpylätassu]

Got my wooden box set. It's awesome.





Just noticed something interesting about brownsl's pictures, both of these Venice Simplon Orient Express sets of his have a different color scheme. Just look at the QoH. The other one has much darker tone compared to the more brightly colored on the upper right. And the one that I have is different to both of those as well!



Mine has a more of an orange-yellow color scheme compared to the brownsl's bright red and the other with the darker red.

[Bradius]

It is kind of a long video, but thought I would share it for those that have this great deck.

[Räpylätassu]

Venice Simplon Orient Express sealed double deck starting bid at 30 £ or make an offer, shipping from the UK. Still over 5 days left in the auction.

[Charinga]

Hi

My dad was recently doing a clear out and we have two boxes of the Venice Simplon - Orient Express decks.

One of the boxes includes sealed cards and the other has been opened, opened cards played with only 1/2. Both in perfect condition.

Anyone reccomend any fair prices coming from UK. Will sell on ebay if there is interest.

Let me know.

[Bradius]

These are nice sets. I would think it would be in the $30-$60 range per set.