J. Glanz Historical playing cards

Historical / Theatrical playing cards manufactured by Joseph Glanz, Vienna, c.1860

Joseph Glanz of Vienna (1849-1912) was a leading Austrian manufacturer of fine playing cards. During its lifetime the firm had acquired Max Uffenheimer and Johann Ritter & Cie but was in turn absorbed by Piatnik in 1912. These finely engraved playing cards are hand-coloured using stencils, displaying the cardmaker’s excellent craftmanship from that period. The tax stamp on the Ace of Hearts (right) was used between c.1859-1877.

Above: finely engraved Historical Theatrical playing cards first manufactured by Joseph Glanz, Vienna, c.1860. The tax stamp on the Ace of Hearts was used between c.1859-1877. Images courtesy Rex Pitts.

Another slightly earlier example of this fine deck is preserved in the British Museum • number 1896,0501.247. The curator's notes describes the pack as having characters in historical plays on the court cards, Fridolin, Maria Stuart, Jugurd, etc. The ace of hearts bears the duty stamp and that of the maker.

Above: Historical Theatrical playing cards manufactured by Joseph Glanz, Vienna, dated 1857 on the ace of hearts. The tax stamp on the ace of hearts was used between c.1850-1857. Backs printed with a small pattern in grey. The king of clubs has the inscription "Joseph Glanz in Wien - Niederlage am Wien Kohlmarkt No. 279". In original wrapper lettered "Patent Karten, Fein Piquet...No.6 Josef Glanz" © The Trustees of the British Museum • number 1896,0501.247►