Dutch Scenic aces 1- "Bridge plastic coated

"Bridge/canasta plastic coated" [Scenic aces], anon, 52c + Joker ( incomplete?)
 
We present here an example of a particular genre of playing cards, the "scenic aces". These cards have been produced since the 19thc, and are particularly popular in the Netherlands and Belgium. What sets them apart is the depiction of landscapes on the Aces.

The court cards themselves are unremarkable, being of the standard "Belgian pattern" .

Observe how each side of the ace contains a different landscape.

Here are closeups of the Aces.

The landscapes here appear to be sorted out by Geographical region. England, is represented by Big Ben and Canterbury cathedral. Europe, by the Doge's palace and the Eiffel tower, Africa/Asia by the sphinx and Borobudur, and America by the Capitol and the statue of livery.

Note the depiction of the statue of liberty on the ace of spades. Compare it with the depiction in http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/2011/10/belgian-pattern-katja.html

 

 

 



Berlin pattern ( FX schmid)

Berlin pattern "Skat" ( FX schmid) , 32c.
The Berlin pattern, or north German pattern as it is more properly known, is one of the more widespread patterns in germany, its use not being confined to Berlin.  The confusion of the 2 names is beacuse the pattern was first printed by a company in Berlin, who printed its address on all of the court cards.
The pattern itself is a version of the Paris pattern, which you can see here:
http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/paris-pattern-grimaud.html

"Piquet" (swiss french pattern ). Müller

 "Piquet" (swiss french pattern ), Müller, 36c.
this deck is of the swiss-french ( or french swiss) pattern .it is essentially a swiss version of the playing cards used in paris. The cards are used in the french-speaking parts of the country.
The name "piquet"is very curious. The game of Piquet as we know it today is played with 32 cards, but this deck has 36 cards. the only explaiation for  this is that the swiss were refering to a very ancient version of the game, played with 36 cards.

compare this deck with a parisian deck :

 http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/paris-pattern-grimaud.html

See also: http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/12/swiss-playing-cards-jass-muller.html 

Paris pattern ( France Cartes)

This deck is of the paris pattern, and of 32 cards.
this deck is not very interesting, until you compare it with other decks.
try comparing it with ....
http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/paris-pattern-cards.html
http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/paris-pattern-single-faced.html
http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/russian-playing-cards-by-piatnik.html
***
A very interesting feature of this deck is the fact that the court cards have names...
                  king               queen            jack
spades      David         Pallas       Hogier
cubs          Alexander  Argine      Lancelot
hearts       charles      Judith       Lahire
diamonds  cesar         Rachel      Hector

Now, to say that the cards actually  represent the people above (something commonly claimed) is just a matter of wishful thinking. the only exception being the king of spades, ( David) carries a harp, an instrument associated with that king.

"piemontesi" ( piedmont pattern)

 Piedmont pattern by Modanio.
40 cards.
note the decorative borders round the aces.
This pattern retains some hints of the paris pattern. for example, the fan on the queen of clubs.

see also: http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/paris-pattern-single-faced.html

Paris pattern , single faced

theese charming cards are from a divination set called "votre destin par les cartes"
 it comes with a bored, with instruction for spreading the cards, & a pair of miniature  decks of cards.
the cards are single faced, and nowhere on them is the mark of any maker, aldough it is printed by Dusserre of paris.

things to note:
I- the fan held on the queen of clubs. this feature disappeared when the pattern became double faced.
II- the little dog on the jack of spades. as above.
III-the king of diamonds is shown in profile, and has a medallion on him with the head of a cock.
IV- this feature is the most interesting one of this pattern, namely, the picture cards are named after,  historical personalities ( viz: david as the king of spades, caesar as that of diamonds, and lancelot as jack of clubs.

see also: http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/paris-pattern-cards.html

paris pattern cards ( Anon)

A very curious deck.
It is unvarnished ( the cards are matte) and has blanck backs.
Perhaps it is because the manufacturer noticed that the bonnets on the jack of clubs and diamonds were uncoloured, stopped the run, and sold the cards cheaply? ( I got this deck from the venerable R. sommerville, who retailed this at the glorious sum of a pound a deck)
Whoever he is, the printer would likely remain unknown. he does not give his name anywhere on the deck.
the deck is of 56 cards, 3 jokers & a bridge score card.

An  interesting( aldough by no means unusual) feature of this deck is the fact that the court cards are unnamed. normaly, on a paris pattern, the courts bear names of famous personalities (e.g- launcelot, charles, pallas, David) , but this feature has increasingly frequently be left out by modern makers.

see also http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/paris-pattern-single-faced.html

http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/paris-pattern-grimaud.html