Krónikás kártya
A German-suited pack from Hungary in honour of the millennium.
The Képes Krónika kódexe (or Codex of the Picture Chronicle) is considered to be the most important Hungarian illustrated historical text from the 14th century. It was prepared around 1360 on the orders of King Louis the Great and is now preserved in the National Széchényi Library in Budapest. The chronicle was the inspiration for the designs used in this German-suited pack, issued in honour of the millennium. The vignettes of castles and churches on the pip cards are repeated in each suit. The back design is made up of Latin text, the chronicle having been written in Latin. There is no information about the designer, printer or publisher of this pack. See the box►
Above: Krónikás kártya, maker and publisher unknown, 2000. 32 cards + 1 extra card with text in Hungarian, English and German, in tuck box. Size: 60 x 100 mm. The back design is reproduced on the back of the box.
Above: detail from the first page of the Képes Krónika kódexe, c.1360.
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.
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