The Generals cards

The Maker For a description of Conrad Ludwig Wüst, please see item 41.

The Cards

Entitled ‘Feldherren Karte’ (‘The Generals cards’), the present deck of cards was published in 1916 as propaganda in support of the German war effort. The national character of the deck is emphasised by the imagery found on the back of each card: the imperial eagle, the emperor’s throne and two military flags.

Each Ace card shows two stylised depictions of the German army in action, with the suit mark in the centre:

Clubs – SMS Emden & a U9 in action

Diamonds – Fortifications on Heligoland & the German territory of Kiautschou

Hearts – German aviators on a reconnaissance mission & Howitzers deployed from a aircraft

Spades – A 42cm Morser in firing position & a Zeppelin flying over England

The illustration of the SMS Emden and her Captain von Müller is likely a tribute to this ship and her crew, after its destruction during the Battle of Cocos in November 1914. Each King displays two German leaders, the Queens show personifications of significant states and the Jacks depict military personnel with their medals and awards:

Clubs – Emperor of Germany/Emperor of Austria, Germany, Beneckendorff/Hindenburg

Diamonds – Duke Albrecht of Wurttemberg/King of Wurttemberg, Turkey, V. Dankle/V. Emmich

Hearts – King of Sachsen/Crown-prince of Germany, Bavaria, V. Moltke/V. Beseler

Spades – King of Bayern/Crown-prince Rupprecht of Bayern, Austria, Archduke Friedrich of Austria/V. Kluck

BREPOLS [Guerre Mondiale].

Publication [Turnhout, Brepols, ?1921].

Description

52 chromolithograph playing cards with one joker, red and blue motif to versos.

Dimensions 89 by 53mm (3.5 by 2 inches).

References Van den Bergh p.99; for first edition see Guiard 38.