P. Steinmann
Single-figure provincial Paris pattern cards with traditional names on the courts manufactured in Copenhagen by P. Steinmann, c.1820.
P. Steinmann, Copenhagen
(active 1798-1820)
Single-figure provincial Paris pattern playing cards with traditional names on the courts (except the Jack of Clubs) manufactured in Copenhagen by Pierre Steinmann in c.1820. French style playing cards were favoured in many European countries and several Danish manufacturers had been producing standard packs of this type since the 1750s or earlier. It is surprising that France, so haughty in elegance and fashion, should be associated with such grotesque playing cards!
Right: detail from the wrapper showing the Royal Monogram of King Frederik VI →
The wrapper includes the official Royal Monogram of King Frederik VI of Denmark, who ruled 1808 to 1839, and the Ace of Diamonds carries the official Danish tax stamp showing three lions inside a crowned shield.
Above: cards in the French style manufactured by P. Steinmann, Copenhagen, c.1810-20. The manufacturer's name is visible on the Jack of clubs and the wrapper. Steinmann had a license for the manufacture of playing cards. The cards have been printed from woodcuts and hand-coloured using stencils in a slightly careless manner using two shades of blue, red, buff and black. The back design consists of a dot-pattern. Images courtesy Hans J. Hinrup.
Pierre Steinmann took over the playing card business of J.V. Dressler in 1797, producing packs until 1820 when the licence was given to Jacob Holmblad.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.
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