Estonian Ethnographic Playing Cards
Estonian national costumes and everyday items feature on this pack made in Estonia.
Estonian national costumes, patterns, household items and common tools feature on this pack made in Estonia for Vprojekt, Tallinn, Estonia, c.2005 (or earlier). The court cards depict men, women, maids and boys in various traditional costumes from around Estonia. Different patterns (apron, belt, etc.) are shown on the Aces. The central pips on the numeral cards have been replaced by the appropriate number of household items or tools in black or red (same designs in each suit). Indices K, E, S, Ä. All card titles are in English. Jokers replaced by “BUCK”s. See the box►
Above: Estonian Ethnographic Playing Cards c.2005. 52 cards + 2 “BUCK” cards + 1 title card in a tuck box with text in English on the sides. On poor-quality, see-through board. Purchased in Tallinn, Estonia, April 2005.
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Related Articles
Jim Lyngvild playing cards
Photographs of Danish royalty as imagined by fashion designer Jim Lyngvild.
Mexican ethnic playing cards
Mexican ethnic groups depicted on playing cards by Fábrica de Naipes Cuauhtemoc.
Seminole Wars deck
Seminole Wars deck by J. Y. Humphreys, Philadelphia, c.1819.
Ubo cards
Traditional Ubo cards from the Philippines made from tree bark.
Motherpeace Round Tarot
An original and imaginative feminist tarot invoking matriarchal Goddess energy.
Colonial Art
A collection of 53 pieces of art showcasing detailed scenes from early American colonial life.
Victor Hugo “L’homme qui rit”
Two different packs with costume designs for Victor Hugo plays, issued on the centenary of his deat...
Poker Lusso
Richly costumed courts on a luxury poker pack from Masenghini.
Costume Playing Cards
Four centuries of costumes from the Costume Court at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Paco Lobo
Highly original and striking designs by Paco Lobo for the fashion house of the same name.
Loewe: Moda Europea Siglo XVII
Luxury pack for the Spanish fashion house Loewe, with 17th century costume designs by Margot Hamilto...
Le jeu des 7 Familles ’Utuafare
Colourful Happy Families game from Tahiti depicting costumes from different archipelagoes.
Tuxedo playing cards
Stylish ‘Tuxedo’ playing cards with animal faces created by Natalia Silva, USA, 2016.
Hôtels-Grils Campanile
Publicity pack for the Campanile hotel and restaurant chain featuring French provincial costumes, wi...
Mohegan Sun playing cards
Mohegan Sun playing cards published by Gemaco for Mohegan Sun casino.
Brooks dna playing cards
Brooks dna playing cards produced by Gemaco for Brooks running shoes.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
