Russian Circus deck
The Russian Circus deck published by the Imperial Playing Card Factory, St Petersburg.
The Russian Circus deck, with German suit symbols, was published in 1898 by the Imperial Playing Card Factory in St. Petersburg. The vignettes on the 20 numeral cards depict various lively and entertaining circus performers, such as acrobats, animals, clowns, burlesque and oriental figures. The 12 court cards show four enthroned kings, with obers and unters (suit symbol up or down) wearing amusing or historical costumes. The two of bells has the tax stamp showing a pelican nurturing her young, the logo of the St Petersburg foundling hospital.
Above: the Russian Circus deck published in 1898 by the Imperial Playing Card Factory in St. Petersburg. 36 cards, square corners, no indices, German suit symbols. Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France
References
Bibliothèque nationale de France: Jeu de cartes à enseignes allemandes de fantaisie édité pour la Russie►
Burnett, Peter: the Russian Playing Card Monopoly►
Dominic Winter Auctioneers: on their website they indicate that many of the scenes were taken from an 1843 Industrie und Gluck tarot by Carl Holdhaus • Lot 329, 11th Oct, 2023►
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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