A chalky likeness

The Maker

The imprint of “Gassman à Genève” is found across the Jacks of Spades and Clubs. François Gassmann was a card-maker who produced a number of successful tarot decks, along with several decks of playing cards.

He also experimented with the novel printing technique of chalk lithography, which left less than desirable results, as exhibited on the present deck. For his other decks, Gassman returned to standard lithography.

The Cards

Showing a standard arrangement of the French suit system: the doublefigure court cards present the familiar royal characters in typical poses, with the Jacks carrying axes and Kings and Queens bearing sceptres or swords. The suit marks are shown in the upper left and lower right corners, with some showing inept handling by the colourist: one of the symbols on the King of Spades, for instance, overlaps with the border.

The Ace and pip cards are stylistically straightforward, with the number of suit marks corresponding to the value of each card. The present deck demonstrates why the technique of chalk lithography never took off, as it left rather faint impressions with a lack of clear detail.

LANG, Rudolf [Landmarks of Switzerland playing cards].

Publication [Switzerland, Rudolf Lang, c1860].

Description

36 engraved playing cards with fine original hand-colour, printed red floral pattern to versos.

Dimensions

87 by 60mm (3.5 by 2.25 inches).

References Van den Bergh p.58.

The Maker

We have been unable to find any record of a card-maker operating under the name Rudolf Lang.

The Cards

The technological progress and cultural developments of the nineteenth century gave rise to a tourism boom across Europe. Switzerland’s central location between France, Germany, Austria and Italy meant that the country experienced a huge surge in the number of tourists travelling within its borders. Enterprising printers and card-makers responded to the increasing number of visitors by producing souvenir decks, which showed iconic Swiss landmarks, buildings and figures.

The present deck is an early example of these mementos. The court cards show the double-figured Kings, Queens and Jacks wearing native Swiss dress. The costumes of the Queens and Jacks are labelled with a specific place of origin, which extend to include locations outside of Switzerland, such as the Alsace, the Black Forrest and Tyrol. The Ace cards show scenic depictions of famous places across Switzerland, namely:

Clubs – Hospie de St Bernhard/Château de Chillon

Hearts – Chapelle de Guillaume Tell/Righi Koulm Spades – Monument à Lucerne/Chûte du Rhin Diamonds – Bains de Loueche/La Jungfrau

The suit marks are shown in the centre of the Aces, and in both the upper left and lower right corners of the other cards. We have only been able to trace one other complete example of this deck; that of the collection Verame.

PIATNIK, Ferdinand [Luxury playing cards].

Publication [Vienna, F. Piatnik, c1860].

Description

52 engraved playing cards with fine original hand-colour, maroon printed foliate design to versos.

Dimensions 90 by 58mm (3.5 by 2.25 inches).

References

Van den Bergh p.262.

The Maker

On the sash of the Jack of Hearts reads the name of the maker, “Ferdinand Piatnik”, and around the edge of the same card are the notices “Eigenthum des Verlegers” (“owner of the publishers”) and “Mit Vorbehalt des Nachdrucks” (“reprinting reserved”). For a description of Piatnik, please see item 72.

The Cards

The most notable feature of these cards is the rich colour found on the court cards. The traditional double-figure images of the royal characters are embellished in green, blue, purple, red and yellow with a luxurious effect. The Ace and pip cards are typical in their design, with the value of each card conveyed by the number of suit marks shown.

One of the first decks acquired by Harry Kenter, forming the foundation of what would become one of the world’s largest playing card collections. Today, the majority of the collection can be found in museums across the Netherlands and Belgium, while a few decks remain in private ownership. The emotional connection that Kenter had with the present deck, as the first of his collection, meant that he decided to sell it last of all.

WÜST, Conrad Ludwig

Hamburger Spielkarten.

Publication [Frankfurt, H. Rübcke, c1860].

Description

52 engraved playing cards with fine original hand-colour, with one manuscript inscription, blue printed pattern to verso.

Dimensions 89 by 58mm (3.5 by 2.25 inches).

References

British Museum Schreiber Sheets German 44; van den Berg p.63.