Playing Cards from Scandinavia & Nordic Countries
‘501’ playing cards by Alf Cooke
“Five 'o One” playing cards, a version of the Dondorf Rhineland pattern, manufactured by Universal Playing Card Co. Ltd for export to Scandinavia.
Einar Nerman Patience
Einar Nerman (1888–1983) was a talented Swedish artist born in Norrköping who designed playing cards during the 1920s.
Four Centuries
“Four Centuries” playing cards by Esselte Öbergs with court cards depicted as caricatures from different historical periods.
Jacob Bagges AB
Playing cards published by Jacob Bagges AB Stockholm, close copies of Dondorf designs.
Jacob Holmblad c.1830
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by Simon Wintle
An amazing difference can be seen between the early and the later Jacob Holmblad packs, covering a time span of only 17 years.
Jacob Holmblad, 1820s
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by Simon Wintle
The Q♥ has a butterfly net in which she has caught four hearts. Many of Holmblad's designs were replaced or changed in different editions, but this design was not used again.
Kalevala
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by Simon Wintle
Kalevala playing cards by Sunish Chabba and Ishan Trivedi inspired by ancient Finnish mythology.
L. P. Holmblad, c.1845
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by Simon Wintle
Holmblad ordered his earlier designs to be re-drawn and updated. Comparison of packs from this era show instances where one figure is replaced by another more imposing version.
Löjliga Spel Kort
Facsimile edition of “Löjliga Spel Kort” (1825) illustrated playing cards from Sweden, showing scenes from Fredman‘s Epistles and Songs
Öbergs ‘Svenska Lloyd’
‘Svenska Lloyd’ shipping company playing cards published by J.O. Öberg & Son, Eskilstuna, c.1955.
