Bavarian Military Cards

Published March 24, 2013 Updated May 29, 2023

The King of Acorns is supposed to represent Prince Otto; the King of Leaves is Maximilian II; the King of Bells is Ludwig II; the King of Hearts is Ludwig I wearing a general's uniform.

1880 Germany Jegel Army Bavaria Military Patriotic Political

Bayerische Militärkarte / Bavarian Military Cards

manufactured by successors of Johann Conrad Jegel, Nürnberg

The bright images on these finely engraved patriotic playing cards with a military theme are coloured with stencils. The uniforms are coloured in mainly green and blue, and the Kings are not actually wearing their crowns. The King of Acorns is supposed to represent Crown Prince Otto I; the King of Leaves is Maximilian II; the King of Bells is Ludwig II; the King of Hearts is Ludwig I wearing a general's uniform. The court cards are all male, but some of the numeral cards depict women as well as military objects. This appears to be a later edition produced after 1879 by Johann Wilhelm Sass, who succeeded J C Jegel in 1857.

Bavarian Military Cards published by successors of Johann Conrad Jegel, c.1880 Bavarian Military Cards published by successors of Johann Conrad Jegel, c.1880 Bavarian Military Cards published by successors of Johann Conrad Jegel, c.1880 Bavarian Military Cards published by successors of Johann Conrad Jegel, c.1880

Above: German-suited "Bayerische Militärkarte" (Bavarian Military Cards) manufactured by successors of Johann Conrad Jegel, 36 cards, single-ended, stencil coloured, 10.4 x 5.8 cm. The Two of Hearts has a tax stamp with a double-headed eagle and the inscription "Deutsches Reich - Dreissig Pf. No.52". The back is a cross-grid pattern. Images courtesy Rod Starling.


REFERENCES

"Geschichte Auf Spielkarten 1789-1871", Deutsches Spielkartenmuseum, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, 1987

All images on this page are from the collection of Rod Starling, author of "The Art and Pleasures of Playing Cards".

See also: Historical Deck published by Johann Conrad Jegel.

avatar
94 Articles

By Rod Starling (1936-2023)

Member since January 09, 2013

Rod Starling was one of the founding members of the 52 Plus Joker card collectors club. He authored many articles for the club's quarterly newsletter, Clear the Decks. His collection encompasses both foreign and American decks. Rod also authored a book titled The Art and Pleasures of Playing Cards.

Related Articles

2025 Baraja de Juan Martín Zamorano

Baraja de Juan Martín Zamorano

Deck inspired by El Pendón de los Zamorano, a military pennant dating from 1501, published by Priego...

1987 Engel-Tarot

Engel-Tarot

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

1544 Virgil Solis

Virgil Solis

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

1798 Pam is the Knave of Clubs

Pam is the Knave of Clubs

Playing cards as metaphors in 18th century art - from fate, chance and social hierarchy t...

1711 Dr Sacheverell

Dr Sacheverell

Dr. Henry Sacheverell's impeachment in 1710 sparked widespread public unrest and political upheaval,...

1872 Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité

Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité

Political playing cards published by Grimaud et Chartier, Paris, 1872.

1983 Politiker-Skat by Bubec

Politiker-Skat by Bubec

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

1983 Le Poker Politique

Le Poker Politique

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

1862 American Civil War playing cards

American Civil War playing cards

American Civil War playing cards with suits of stars, US flags, US shields and eagles.

1996 Unimog UX 100

Unimog UX 100

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

1989 Juristenskat

Juristenskat

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

Battles in Mexico, 1847

Battles in Mexico, 1847

Uncut proof sheet with Mexican Battle scenes on the aces and portraits of American generals on the c...

1880 Double-ended German-suited pack by Josef Glanz, Vienna.

Double-ended German-suited pack by Josef Glanz, Vienna.

From the British Museum collection.

1994 Medizin Skat

Medizin Skat

Promotional pack for a hospital group in the Saarland, with non-standard suits and courts designed b...

2016 Líneas rojas 2016

Líneas rojas 2016

Semicaricatural images of Spanish politicians by Jordi Minguell, combined with non-standard suits. ...

1984 Opernkarte I

Opernkarte I

Humorous designs by Peter Becker on the theme of the Opera.