Swiss Regional Costumes Playing Cards, c.1890
This Swiss Regional Costume pack can be seen as an early form of tourist souvenir which subsequently developed into the photographic souvenir pack.
Regional Costumes Playing Cards with scenic Aces, made by Müller, c.1890. The local costumes are different at each end. Müller's recent investments in updated machinery were paying off and the company was now able to commence the export of playing cards to foreign markets.
Packs with conventional courts and scenic aces were already being produced by card makers in Belgium, Austria, Holland and France for the new trend in tourism. The Aces would depict geographical or historical scenes and picturesque views. This Swiss Regional Costume pack also features colourful regional dress and canton shields and can be seen as an early form of tourist souvenir which evolved into the souvenir packs we see today.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.
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