Miniature cards ( English)

Miniature cards - anon ( english maker) , 53c. +joker
 
 Another miniature deck, probably from the 1940s-50s.It is ( apparently ) made in England. I wonder why this would be considered worth mentioning, as the deck is printed in a rather crude fashion; with some cards not aligned properly.
   However, it is a pretty little thing - observe the curious illustration on the back , depicting a pair of dogs on leashes, being walked as snow falls. The same design is reproduced on the wrapper
   Another curious feature is the black band that seperates the two halves of the courts. I thing that this was intended to be filled in with a customer's name (but given the poor quality of the printing , the name may not have been legible)
 Lastly, the deck contains a pair of two-of-diamonds. I have no knowlege how that card got there

joker, back,  and wrapper

the other side of the wrapper.

Miniature deck - Anon

Miniature deck- Anon , 52c.
 The miniature ( 4.5 x 2.8 cm) deck is somewhat of a mstery. The Desigin of the court cards indicates that the maker was imitating the English pattern, but there are many diffrernces. (see http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/2012/03/international-pattern-part-i.html)

"Jeu de Tarot"

Jeu de tarot- 78c

Another version of the french tarot, somtims called the " Bourgeois Tarot"  or "tarot nouveau "
It was very probably intended for the lower end of the market, ( it is printed on a lower quality of card), The fact that I found it in a paris supermarket is evdience enough for the popularity of the game in france.
compare http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2012/02/french-tarot-grimand-part-i.html
and  http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2012/02/french-tarot-grimand-part-ii.html for a deck by Grimaud.      
Note the fact that the maker's name is printed on the ace of spades. Normally, the name would be on the ace of clubs. Go figure

Kaffehaus Tarock ( Piatnik)

Kaffehaus Tarock ( Piatnik)- 54c.

 In my opinion, this deck is probably the most beautiful of all the tarock decks, with it's colourful illustrations. ( compare http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2012/02/tarock-ass.html)
The deck is slightly larger than normal tarock decks.Otherwise, it is identical to the standard versions.

I shall leave the pictures to tell the rest of the story.

William tell / Viennese large crown pattern ( Piatnik)

William tell / Viennese large crown pattern ( Piatnik) - 36c.

The following deck is a very curious deck. It is comprised of 2 patterns of playing cards, the Viennese large crown, and the William tell pattern, one at each end of the card . I like to call such decks "Janus"decks.

 The motivation for producing such chimeras , is that in some countries, like Austria, card-players use two diffrent types of playing cards, which are completely diffrent from one another. Therefore , as a comprmise, makers sometimes print such decks, with one type of card at one end, and the other at the other end. Therefore, the dispute is settled.
 Also note that this deck has 6s. Normaly, Austrian large crown decks do not have 6s.

Here are the number cards of the deck. Note the decoration on the german suited side, which is     copied faithfuly!

Here is the same deck, with the french suited side facing upwards

see also;

http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/2011/10/magyar-kartya.html

and

http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/2011/11/preference-vienna-large-crown-pattern.html

Milanese/Lombardy pattern ( AG Müller)

Milanese /Lombardy pattern, AG Müller, 40c.

 This pattern , also known as the Lombardy pattern is used Not only in Italy, but also in the canton of Ticino in switzerland. Being close to Italy, (and indeed, was once ruled by it), It naturaly took up the playing cards of it's rulers. (see ; http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/lombarde-lombardy-pattern.html)
 The playing cards shown here do not differ much from their Italian counterparts, save for one curious feature : The addition of indices to the cards. The courts also have their name spelled out on their sides. ( viz, re, regnia  and fante)

The international pattern- an overview

Behold, four Kings, in Majesty rever'd,
With hoary Whiskers and a forky Beard;
And four fair Queens whose Hands sustain a Flow'r,
Th' expressive Emblem of their softer Pow'r;
Four Knaves in Garbs succinct, a trusty Band;
Caps on their heads, and Halberds in their hand;
And particolour'd Troops, a shining Train,
Draw forth to combat on the Velvet Plain.

(Alex. Pope- The rape of the lock)

Now that we have been through six decks of the international pattern , it is time to compare them all togeteher. The following dizen images would very much speak for themselves in describing the characteristics of this pattern;