Bergmannskarte
Bergmannskarte, manufactured by Industrie Comptoir, Leipzig, c.1816.

German-suited, single-ended “Bergmannskarte” manufactured by Industrie Comptoir, Leipzig.
As early as the sixteenth century German playing cards evolved so that miniature burlesque scenes decorated the lower half of each card. Packs with miniature illustrations or vignettes on the numeral cards were now being produced covering all types of subject, from glorifying military achievements to idyllic rural scenes, animals, folklore or mining, as in this case. At the same time, many packs illustrate the fashions of the day, buildings, royalty, heraldry or whatever the artist fancies.

Above: “Bergmannskarte” manufactured by Industrie Comptoir, Leipzig, about 1816. Etching, stencil coloured, 36 cards.
See also: Cartomancy Deck, c.1818►

By Klaus-Juergen Schultz
Member since February 03, 2024
From the collection of Klaus-Jürgen Schultz (https://spielkarten-sammlung.de).
Related Articles

VEB Kombinat Kali
Advertising pack depicting old means of salt production, with designs by Hannelore Heise.

Burghausen
Historical figures and buildings to promote the town of Burghausen, with designs by Jonny Petri.

Saarberg 79
Saarberg mining pack for 1979, with designs by Fritz Ludwig Schmidt.

Wiener Pattern – Nuremberg Version
A classic deck in a new illustrative style, with notable variations in line work, detail, and colour...

CARD-AB Miltenberg
Illustrations by Rita Stern depicting notable landmarks and scenes from the town of Miltenberg in Ge...

New Altenburg Skat cards – German DDR Pattern
Authentic Altenburger Skat cards with German suits (Acorns, Hearts, Leaves, Bells).

German Travel Cards
A travel-themed educational deck helping American tourists visiting Germany.

Briefmarken-Quartett
Quartet game featuring postage stamps from the Zones of Occupation in post-WWII Germany.

IG Chemie Papier Keramik
Promotional pack designed by Karl-Heinz Schroers for a German trade union with comical bears on the ...

Engel-Tarot
Set of major arcana designed by Alois Hanslian depicting angels throughout.

Virgil Solis
Remarkable pack of 52 animal-suited playing-cards designed and etched by Virgil Solis.

Politiker-Skat by Bubec
Caricatures of world leaders, including many German politicians, by the artist Bubec.

Le Poker Politique
French politicians and various world leaders caricatured by the German artist Bubec.

Unimog UX 100
Cartoons promoting the Unimog UX 100, a small truck produced by Mercedes-Benz.

Juristenskat
Caricatures of lawyers and judges by Philipp Heinisch for HEEL Verlag.

Battles in Mexico, 1847
Uncut proof sheet with Mexican Battle scenes on the aces and portraits of American generals on the c...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days