Tell pattern , Bonaparte

(Tell pattern), Bonaparte, 32c +1

The following deck is made by Bonaparte, a Czechoslovakian company. It is based on the  "Tell pattern", but has several notable differences.

The first differnce is the lack of names. Most "tell pattern" decks name the court cards and aces. For example, the ace of leaves ( Top row, first card from left) is typically labelled ozsp/herbst , meaning autumn. 

The court cards in such decks are usually labelled, which is also absent in this deck. For example, the ober of acorns ( Bottom row, 3rd from left) is titled "William Tell". This is absent, but the card still depicts Tell-- The cross-bow he holds is Tell-ing! 

Apart from the differences above, the cards are quite similar to most patterns. The only differnce appears to be the use of more muted palate of colours. 

( compare http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/2011/10/magyar-kartya.html  and http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/2011/11/miniature-tell-pattern-piatnik.html )

 Comparisons between the present deck ( marked B) and a more typical deck, by Piatnik. 

(marked P)  The top row shows the court cards, and the differences are quite obvious. 

The makers seem to have removed all references to the William tell legend in the pip cards. For example, in the 8 of hearts, ( Bottom row, first pair from left), the Piatnik deck depicts a scene in the  William tell legend where he steers a boat across  a stormy lake. The Bonaparte deck shows a simple sailing ship. 

Although the scenes in the cards have been altered, the designers of the Bonaparte deck have decided to retain the theme of the cards. The 7 of bells ( First pair from left) depicts a parting couple, but the piatnik deck includes a child-- presumably Tell's son. The 7 of hearts ( second pair from left) instead of showing Gessler's death, shows a simple mounted figure. 

miniature "tell pattern" piatnik

miniature "tell pattern", by piatnik. 32 cards.
a pleasing miniature of the "william tell"/ four seasons pattern.
these cards are harldly used in Germany at all, instead being used in central europe.
Note the pip cards. they have little scenes from the wtell legend, like the death of Tell's archenemy, gessleer, on the 7 of hearts.
for a Hungarian version of this pattern, see: http://anthonylesq.blogspot.com/2011/10/magyar-kartya.html

"magyar kártya"

"magyar kártya" by" luxus", commonly known as "william tell" or "seasons pattern"
32 cards.
this deck is another german-suited pattern, but, unlike the other german suited patterns, it mantains the vinegettes on the number cards, E.G - the death of gessler on the 7 of hearts.

note the fact that the kings ride horses. this is unique amongst the german patterns.

the reason why this deck is called the 'tell'pattern is because the ober of acorns( 1st pic, 2nd row, 3rd from lest) is named 'william tell' ( or tell vilmos in hungarian ) . the other coury cards (kings excepting) are also named after characters in the tell legend. the ober of hearts ( 2nd pic, 2nd row, 3rd from left) is named"herman gessler"- tell's arch enemy.
As for the name "seasons pattern"- well, the 4 aces depict the 4 seasons.