Archives
2012 • July
Ganesh
Karl's ‘Ganesh’ pack has the four Aces with the suit sign in a circle decorated with flowers and double-ended courts in Indian dress.
Trappola Française v.1
Inspired by Piatnik's ‘Trappola’ of c.1890, with double-ended courts, a Jester and decorated Aces, the cards are delicately etched and hand coloured so that versions exist with alternative colour schemes.
11: Some Cards From Sylvia Mann’s Collection
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by Ken Lodge
A fascinating collection that was the basis of a lot of research that we still benefit from today.
Cartes Turques Patience
Derived from “Cartes Turques” first made by Glanz, then later by van Genechten, Brepols & Piatnik. 3 double-ended dragon Aces and one Adam/Eve Ace with a coiled serpent.
Pirate Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
A recurring motif is the symbolism of life and death, playfully rendered in these marvellous cards, including plenty of sabres and skeletons!
Karl Gerich No.16: “Patience Indien”
Karl Gerich's “Patience Indien No.16”, published in 1991, is adapted from Grimaud's “Whist Indienne” (c.1900). The double-ended courts are dressed in Arab garb.
Patience No.21
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by Simon Wintle
‘Patience No.21’ is a 52-card miniature deck with double-ended courts and a Joker holding a fan of cards.
Original Skatgeld der Stadt Altenburg
“Original Skatgeld der Stadt Altenburg” featuring the emergency money of 1921 designed by Otto Pech
Rhineland Pattern
This pack was probably the culmination of a mixture of designs from 19th century Germany which emerged as one of Dondorf's more popular house patterns by around 1900.
Baronesse Whist No.160
After the Second World War, the deck continued to be produced both by the VEB Altenburger Spielkartenfabrik as “Rokoko” and by ASS-Spielkartenfabrik, Leinfelden-Echterdingen as “Baronesse”.
Whist No.80
Stylistically, the deck fits easily into the Dondorf “luxury card” group. The deck was produced for the Danish firm Adolph Wulff of Copenhagen in c.1928-35.
Luxuskarte No.75
Stylistically, the deck fits easily into the Dondorf “luxury card” group. The deck has been produced for the Danish firm Adolph Wulff of Copenhagen, also for F. Tilgmann in Helsinki, and a Swedish version by Öberg & Son, Stockholm.
Saks-Werbespiel
Promotional playing cards printed by Dondorf for Saks & Company, New York, late 1920s.
Karl Gerich No.26
Variations on the standard English pattern are one of Karl's favourite themes. He produced several versions and this is a magnificent example.
10: Playing Cards in Germany
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by Ken Lodge
The playing card manufacturers of Germany from 1900 until 1939 provide a complicated set of relationships that deserve closer investigation. Here are some of the standard English designs to be found.
Karl Gerich No.27
The courts are characters from Wagner's opera “The Ring of the Nibelungs”, beautifully etched and hand coloured. Each character is named in a cursive script along each side of the card.
Karl Gerich No.29
“Victoria Playing Cards” designed by Georgina Harvey and produced by Karl Gerich, Bath (UK), 1988. Printed from copperplate etching; hand-coloured.
Karl Gerich No.28
Double-ended courts based on standard English pattern but with variant colours; double-ended Joker plus Steve Davis card.
Kinder-Karte
First published in c.1870, children are presented in these miniature Patience cards disguised as Kings, Queens and Jacks. The Kings' crowns are slightly over-sized for their heads and the children are wearing false beards.
Vier-Erdteile c.1870
Dondorf's Luxus-Spielkarte “Vier-Erdteile” (“Four Continents”) was first published in c.1870 and has been re-published in several editions, variations and formats since then.
Karl Gerich No.12
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by Simon Wintle
Karl Gerich's 12th deck is titled “Rheinland Playing Cards” and was published in 1991. lt is derived from Dondorf's Rhineland pattern, which was first published in the 1870s.
Dondorf Tarot Aces
The four suits are associated with four countries: Clubs = Germany, Diamonds = UK, Spades = Russia and Hearts = France.
Dondorf Tarot
Dondorf's “Microscopique Tarock“ was first published in c.1870. The scenes portrayed at each end of the trump cards are marvels of miniature graphic artwork and printing.
Karl Gerich No.3
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by Simon Wintle
Four Elements is Karl's third attempt at manufacturing playing cards.
Karl Gerich No.19
An unpublished design by Karl Gerich showing 12 court cards, a Joker and two additional cards produced from an etching. The number '19' can be seen inside the star on the title card.
Korean Hwatu
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by Simon Wintle
Hwatu (화투) cards originally came about because gambling with four-suited decks was outlawed. This ban prompted the creation of new decks and a new game.
9: Standard English Cards From Latin America: Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela
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by Ken Lodge
A continuation of the survey of designs used in Central and South America.
Playing Cards & Gaming
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by Simon Wintle
Soon after their first appearance in Europe we hear of playing cards being banned by the authorities...
8: Standard English Cards in Latin America: Argentina, Brazil and Chile
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by Ken Lodge
A brief survey of the designs of English cards in South America.
Cosi Fan Tutte
Cosi Fan Tutte was published in 1994 and is based on Mozart's opera. The pips (heart-shaped locket, magnet, marriage contract and poison bottle) are key objects in the development of the operatic plot.
7: Brands and Packs
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by Ken Lodge
The introduction of brands commenced during the late 19th century as a development of the old qualities: Moguls, Harrys, Highlanders and Merry Andrews.
Iranian Popular Art
Representing Iranian culture and history and intended for a Persian market, these playing cards were designed by V. Romanowski de Boncza, ordered by the Iranian government playing card monopoly at the time and printed by Thomas De la Rue & Co., Ltd, c.1937.
No.6 Austrian
This early Gerich work is an adaptation of the English pattern with continental stylisation. The double-ended designs are slightly different at each end and divided by a gold band.
6: Some Non-Standard Cards
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by Ken Lodge
I only collect the English standard, but I thought it would be a good idea to add some different types of card from time to time.
5: De La Rue
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by Ken Lodge
In December 1831 Thomas de la Rue was granted his patent for printing playing cards by letterpress.
Uusi Blue Blood
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by Simon Wintle
Uusi Blue Blood designer playing cards by Peter Dunham and Linnea Gits, 2012.
Gibson, Hunt & Son
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by Simon Wintle
Gibson originally took over the business of Blanchard in 1769. Gibson & Hunt operated briefly (1801-1803) and were followed successively by Hunt & Son (1804-1821), Hunt & Sons (1821-1840), Hall (& Son), Hall & Bancks and finally Bancks Brothers (1841-89).
No.10 - Four Corners
Karl Gerich was a great admirer of playing cards produced by B. Dondorf and his tenth pack was inspired by Dondorf's “Luxus-Spielkarte Vier-Erdteile” (Four Continents Luxury Playing Cards) designed by Friedrich Karl Hausmann, 1870.
Karl Gerich
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by Simon Wintle
Karl Gerich's interest in playing-card production came to the fore while studying at Bath Academy of Art from 1975. Karl produced a unique range of hand-made playing cards during the period 1980-1998.