L. P. Holmblad - Denmark
Cards from c.1850 by L. P. Holmblad showing fantasy historical Danish Kings and Queens.
L. P. Holmblad c.1850
Cards from c.1850 by L. P. Holmblad showing fantasy historical Danish Kings and Queens. The original artwork for the Jack of spades (shown right) shows ‘Holger Danske’ as a young man clad in armour holding a double-handed sword. The four Kings are named: Gorm den Gamle, Knud den Store (1018-1035), Erik Ejegod (1055-1103) and Valdemar Sejr (1202-1241) and their respective Queens: Thyra Danebod, Emma, Bothilde (Bodil) and Dagmar. The Jacks are either mythical or real characters from Danish history: Holger Danske, Palnatoke, Esbern Snare and Uffe hin Spage.
Above: Holmblad's deck with historical courts, c.1850. The deck has never been reprinted by any of Holmblad's successors.
REFERENCES
Jensen, K. Frank: Royalty on Danish Playing Cards, The Playing-Card vol.32 no.1, IPCS, July-Aug 2003.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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