Various Politicards
"Politicards" were a set of 54 playing cards created in 1971, released in 1972 in anticipation of that fall's presidential election. They were conceived and designed by 26 year old designer and illustrator Peter Green, although he received no credit anywhere on the actual box or cards. The cards humorously depicted various politicians, candidates, wives of politicians, celebrities, and other familiar faces, including 2 "jokers", then (briefly) NY mayoral candidates Norman Mailer and William F. Buckly. Both parties were represented, conservatives, moderates to liberals, all beautifully and effortlessly caricatured in watercolor and color pencil, to in many cases maximum humorous effect by Green.
Subsequent "Politicards" or variations of the same theme have come out over the years by various artists, including Peter Green, but this original set remains my favorite, possibly because they were the originals, but more likely because these David Levine inspired caricatures hit a nerve with the public, and with me as well. I loved and poured over these when I first purchased them (at Brentanos) at age 12, and they've had a lasting influence on my work over the years, particularly my political drawings.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of the original Politicards, I'm posting them all here. If you're seeing these for the first time, enjoy! |