Czech playing cards with German suits

In this Bohemian-style deck printed by Obchodní Tiskárny the court cards are portrayed outdoors in rural outfits. As music plays a significant role in Czechoslovakian folklore several instruments including fiddles and wind instruments can be seen. Cockerels and a teddy bear suit have been substituted for the eagle and other nationalistic symbols. The charming vignettes of homely scenes on the numeral cards are festive and colourful, and have been redrawn to suit modern tastes: for example, the elephant on the 8 of leaves wears colourful attire and his trunk has been lowered; the prancing horse on the 9 of bells is now a rocking horse; cupid on the 10 of hearts has been given a contemporary style. The back design resembles embroidery.

Above: Bohemian style playing cards printed by Obchodní Tiskárny, c.1950. 32 cards, rounded corners with no indices, colour lithography. Bibliothèque nationale de France.

NOTE The Bibliothèque nationale gives the date as circa 1950. However, a production code 'A 1984 73432' on the back of the seven of acorns which may possibly suggest a date of 1984.

References

Bibliothèque nationale de France: Jeu de cartes tchèque à enseignes allemandes►