Lot no. 254

Designs by Axel Roosman for playing cards sold by the Estonian Red Cross, the origin of the Caritas heart and of the pre-perforated cardboards. Submitted design for a playing card by Axel Roosman, on cardboard 65,5x43mm with rounded corners, in pencil, the heart in read watercolor. On the back four glue marks, where the design was attached. The heart on playing cards was, according to the son of Axel Roosman, the origin of the Caritas heart. Axel Roosman had made designs of playing cards for the Estonian Red Cross, which was granted in 1923 the monopoly for the production and sale of playing cards for charitable purposes (E.F. 24-25, pp.163-170). The submission to Alexander Koenig of postage stamp designs on pre-perforated cardboards probably had its origin in Roosman's design of a playing card. One of the designs of a playing card was submitted to the Estonian Red Cross on a pre-cut cardboard with rounded corners, looking like a playing card. Similarly the designs submitted to Alexander Koenig were on perforated cardboards, looking like postage stamps. In addition another design for a playing card by Axel Roosman, in pencil, on paper with a red sticker of the Estonian Red Cross. Four glue marks at the back and a hole at the top. Both of the designs are from the estate of Axel Roosman.