Turun Linna pelikortteja / Åbo slott spelkort (Piatnik)

Turun Linna pelikortteja / Åbo slott spelkort = "Turku castle" playing cards, Piatnik, 52c + 3

The present deck of playing cards is one of the more curious decks to emerge from Finland. The box proclaims, in two languages (Finnish and Swedish, respectively), "Turku castle playing cards". The court cards of this deck represent characters associated with the castle, which is also depicted on the backs of the cards.
http://www.kolumbus.fi/sackab/kgb/playing_cards/abo.html

. Note the court cards. Their indices are not made up of the initial letters of the courts, but numbers, viz: 11, 12 and 13. Perhaps the reason behind this is to accommodate for Finnish and Swedish speakers, who call the court cards by different names. Also note the font used for the indices; the court cards and aces use a more ornamental font than the pips, which use a simple sans-serif font.

 

The Joker ( top row, 1st from left) is Frans Hals'  Lute player. Also note the unusual shape of the cards; They are not perfectly rectangular, but are barrel shaped, bulging slightly in the middle.

 

Echigokobana (越後小花)

越後小花, ( Echigokobana), Ohishi tengudo , 48c.+Onifuda+ 3 extras

Much like European playing cards, There are also regional variants of the Japanese Hanafuda. One such pattern is called "Echigobana".  The present deck, however, is a smaller sized ( 4.5 x 3 cm)  edition of this pattern. There are small differences in the small and large editions of this pattern, but the small deck may perhaps be a sufficient introduction to this pattern as a whole.
 Although the basic structure of the deck remains the same, The Echigobana greatly differs from the standard pattern of hanafuda . Many of the animals and details of the cards are greatly simplified and stylized. I shall introduce the key features of this deck as we go along.

The suits of January(Top row) and February(bottom row)

One of the first things that distinguishes this pattern from the regular hanafuda is the prescence of heavy silver overprinting on the cards. In the case of the suit of January (top row), the silver overprints form the detail of the pine needles.

Also note the striped background on the suit of January.

 

The suits of March(T) and April(B)

The present pattern possesses a much more stylized, even crude draughtsmanship when compared with the standard pattern. For example, the cherry blossoms of Febuary (top), are represented as mere squiggles with a blob of red colour over them.

The suits of may (T.) and June ( B)

Note the limited palette of colurs used, viz; red, black and yellow. This is particularly evident in the suit of may ( top row). Normally the iris blossoms (which is the flower used for this suit) would be coloured blue, but here, the colour blue has been replaced by black. Also note the charmingly crude rendering of the peonies of the suit of June

The suits of  july (T) and August ( B)

Note the two "Junk " cards of the suit of August ( bottom r. 3rd & 4th from left) In standard hanafuda, the sky over the black "hills" is plain. In this deck , the sky is patterned with lines in one card, and with red "clouds" in another.

The onifuda ( top row, 1st from left), and the suits of september ( T) and October ( B)

Note the "ribbon" cards for the suit of October ( 3rd from left). In standard hanafuda decks, the ribbon is rendered blue. In this deck, however, the ribbon is coloured black.

The suits of November ( T) and December( B), along with an extra card ( bottom, 1st from left)

Note the suit of November ( top) The criss-crossed silver overprints suggest rain, which is apparently an alternative name for this suit. The extra card ( called so as I can think of no better name) depicts a strange figure , something like a cross between a wicker man and a space alien bearing a stick.

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Here are three cards showing some of the main differences between this pattern and the Echigokobana. (The larger of the pairs of cards is the standard hanafuda)

1ST PAIR: The "rain-man" card  of the suit of November.

2nd pair : The "bird' in the suit of febuary. Note the lack of green in the Echigokobana.

3rd pair: The "boar" in the suit of July. In the Echigokobana, the boar looks more like a hedgehog.

 

Swedish playing cards (Öbergs)

"Öbergs spelkort med de rätta figurerna" -- Obergs, 52 +2 c.

This deck is of the Swedish pattern. It resembles the patience cards made by Offason ( see http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/2012/02/swedish-playing-cards-offason.html). However, the most curious thing about this deck is where it was sold. I purchased this deck from a hardware store in Rovaniemi, a town in Finland . It may be thus concluded that Swedish playing cards are exported to Finland, and that the locals have no problem using them.

Note the ace of hearts: The maker's name is printed on it in a fashion similar to a tax stamp.

"Cego speilkarte" (FX Schmid)

"Cego speilkarte" -- FX Schmid, 54c. ( printed c.  1975)

Here is another Tarock deck, published by FX schmid. Although I have seen many pictures of this deck ever since I started collecting, I have only recently came across one such deck on sale-- on Ebay.It is apparent that this deck is no longer printed. The present deck ( which I incline to call the "cego tarock") differs greatly from any other tarock deck.

This pattern is extremely similar to the bourgeoisie tarot.(http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/2012/02/french-tarot-grimand-part-i.html and http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/2012/02/french-tarot-grimand-part-ii.html) I shall attempt to point out the distinguishing features of this deck as I go along.

As you can see, the numbers indicating the value of the trumps are located in the centre of the cards. Likewise, the trump cards are illustrated by pastoral scenes. Note the fool ( 1st from left) He is dressed in green wearing a red hat, and playing a mandolin. This particular card is often an invaluable aid in distinguishing decks.

Here are the rest of the trumps of this deck.

 

The court cards: Note the jack of clubs ( 4th from left) he wears a shawl over his shoulder.

as you can see, the figures in this deck are rendered in a markedly different style from the other decks, with a greater use of green

Note the knight of diamonds ( 3rd from left). his back faces the viewer. This card is almost identical to the knight of diamonds in the bourgeoisie tarot

 

 

A ballad on Quadrille - John Gay

The following poem was written by the poet John Gay ( best known for his beggar's opera),and is on the hugely popular card game of Quadrille. The poem reflects on how immensely popular this game was ( especially amongst ladies). As far as I can tell, this is the first time this ballad has been digitalized.
EDIT: Apparently, some editions attribute the poem to a Mr Congreve - see: http://books.google.com.sg/books?id=zeIFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA356&lpg=PA356&dq=a+ballad+on+quadrille&source=bl&ots=NI5LsUuNLP&sig=0OC3JpJS2KAcTZsOcVe7aa0P0qc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=65GMUqaqFofirAeOwoGADA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=a%20ballad%20on%20quadrille&f=false

NOTE : this edition ( published 1784), uses the long s ( ſ). This was an obsolete version of the letter "s", used when S occurred in the start or middle of the word. So, what is here printed as "ſpirit" ( line 6), pronounced as "spirit"

The Soldier's prayerbook or the devil's bible? Religious interpretrations of playing cards

Some of my readers would be familiar with a legend that goes under the name,  of "The soldier's prayer-book" The tale has been existence since at least the 18thc, and has been retold time and again in various forms. Here is one current version of the legend, from http://www.godswork.org/inspiration83.html. This example should serve as a representative or most of the versions published:
  After heavy fighting, a soldier returned to camp. The next day being Sunday, the Chaplain had set up church service. The men were asked to take out their Bible or Prayer Books. The Chaplain noticed one soldier looking at a deck of cards.
After service, he was taken by the Chaplain to see the Major. The Chaplain explained to the Major what he had seen. The Major told the young soldier he would be punished if he could not explain himself.

  The young soldier told the Major that during the battle, he had neither a Bible or a Prayer Book so he would use his deck of cards and explained:
You see, Sir, when I look at the ACE, it tells me that there is one GOD and no other.
  When I see the "2," it reminds me that there are two parts [in] the Bible, the OLD TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT.
  The "3" tells me of the TRINITY OF GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
  The "4" reminds me of the FOUR GOSPELS, MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE and JOHN.
  When I see the "5," it tells me of the FIVE UNWISE VIRGINS who were lost and that five were saved.
  The "6" makes me mindful that GOD CREATED THE EARTH IN JUST SIX DAYS, and GOD said that it was good.
  When I see the "7," it reminds me that GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY.
  As I look at the "8," it reminds me that GOD DESTROYED ALL HUMAN LIFE BY WATER EXCEPT FOR EIGHT PEOPLE, Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their three son's wives.
  When I see the "9," I think of the NINE LEPERS that GOD healed. There were ten lepers in all, but only one stopped to thank him.
  The "10" reminds me of the TEN COMMANDMENTS carved in stone by the hand of GOD.
  The "JACK" makes me remember the Prince of Darkness. Like a roaring lion, he devours those that he can.
  When I look at the "QUEEN," I see THE CHURCH, THE BRIDE OF JESUS.
  As I look at the last card, THE KING," it reminds me that JESUS IS LORD OF LORDS and KING OF KINGS."
  There are 365 spots on a deck of cards,and that is the number of days in each year.   There are 52 cards to a deck and that is the number of weeks in a year.
  There are 12 picture cards and that is the number of months in a year.
  There are 4 different suits in a deck and that is the number of seasons in a year..."
  And so, the young soldier then said to the Major, "You see, Sir, my intentions were honorable. My deck of cards serves as my BIBLE, my PRAYER BOOK and my ALMANAC. Most importantly, my deck of cards reminds me that I need JESUS... 365 days, 52 weeks and 12 months a year and that I should always PRAY 4 others."

May you never look at a deck of cards the same way! 

Of course, there are variations and inaccuracies in this tale: The total number of pips on a deck of cards is not 365, but 232. Other versions ascribe different significances to the numbers. For example, the Queen, for example, is said to represent Mary. Likewise, the five also may represent the five wounds Christ suffered on the cross. 
  However, in recent years, other denominations of Christianity have posited a wholly opposite interpretation of these objects . Instead of being aids to religious meditation, they are instead awash with satanic symbolism. Variations of this interpretation may be found on some Christian sites; this is one of the more extensive examples, from

http://www.balaams-ass.com/journal/homemake/playcard.html I quote the pertinent part of the page:

Facts About Cards and Card-Playing

Many times the question is asked, "What is the difference between cards and other games?"  It is said, A game is a game; and if it is all right to play dominoes, why not cards?

There is a vast difference.  Water and whiskey are both drinks, but everyone admits that there is a difference between them.  The following facts show plainly the difference between cards and all other games.

In the first place, cards were invented to amuse an idiotic king*, not for the entertainment of Intelligent people.  Every thought suggested by them is in direct opposition to God and rightousness.

1. The "ten spot" is in opposition to the Ten Commandments.
2. "Clubs" represents a weapon of murder.
3. "Spades," a tool to dig graves, suggests death.
4. "Hearts," holds up the broken heart of Christ for deririon instead of devotion.
5. "Jack" represents a libertine who lives off the gains of fallen women; one who makes business of comerbliplized* vice.
6. "King" represents the devil, the king of darkness, the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air, in opposition to God, the king king of all the univers.  Satan, the king of darkness, leads and entices men away from God and heaven, downpiano coversd to hell.
7. "Queen" represents Mary in a slanderous way.  Semiramis, the mother of Nimrod, the great-grandson of Noah, set herself up in opposition to God and instituted, with her son, every pagan type of religion, all of them opposing God.  Knowing that a "Deliverer" should come (Gen. 8:15), Semiramis set herself and son up to be the "Mother and Child."  Ancient sculpture shows this plainly.  She took the name "Queen of heaven," also "Queen of angels," "Mother of God," etc.   She is the "Queen of harlots" and is worshipped as such in every country under different names such as "Diana", "Juno," "Venus," etc.  Knowing God's plan, she ran ahead of God under Satan's direction, and every licentious religion on earth and every anti-Jehovah religion sprang from her unholy, rebelious mind.  She us a slander on the name of the virgin mother of our Lord.
8. "Joker" represents Jesus, and this is the most horrid blasphemy of all; for the joker is supposed to be the product of an illicit union between the "Jack" and the "Queen."

-- Could any but Satan be the inverntor of a deck of cards?

-- A person is known by the company he keeps.

-- Every dissipation of youth has to be paid for by a draft on old age.

(Furnished by Grant Clofax Tullar)

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Editor's note:  The "Joker" as discribed above points to the clown-fool character of ancient religion.  This figure, a real man, was sacrificed in place of the King of the land.  It is refered to as the "ritual sacrifice of the king."  Since the King had to be sacrificed yearly (relating to sun worship and/or Saturnalia), but he of course was indispensible, a Fool (or Clown) was selected for the "privilege" of dying for the King.  He was then called the "King" and treated "royally" before he was killed in place of the real King. :

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* The king in question is probably K. Charles VI "the mad" of France, whom, according to legend, cards were invented to cure him of his insanity. However, this legend is now known to be false.It is widely accepted that the earliest evidence for any type of playing cards is in a 1377 work, Tractatus de moribus et disciplina humane conversationis, ( http://pre-gebelin.blogspot.sg/2012/03/brother-johns-tractatus-de-moribus.html ). Charles would have been 9 when this was  written, and he only suffered his first bout of madness in 1392. It is not inconceivable however,  that he may have played at cards in his youth.

**commercialized?

 

It should be noted, despite the conflicting message of the texts, they both agree that the Jack or knave as representing of the devil. In case, we may conclude, from these two texts, the sheer power of the human mind to produce interpretations of this world.

 

 

 

 

"No.85 Carte di giuoco" (Piacentine pattern )-- Grimaud

"No.85 carte di giuoco italiane, tipo bologna"-- Grimaud, 40c.

Despite its name, the deck is what is known as the "piacentine" pattern. However, the maker's use of the designation is somewhat accurate, as the pattern is used around much of central and northern Italy, a region that encompasses both Piacenza and bologna.

Here is the rather elaborate box in which these cards come in:

 

Note the differences from the more standard Piacentine pattern -- the ace of swords ( top row, first from right), is straight. In the standard pattern, the sword is curved, and has a cherub perched in it ( see http://anthonylesq.blogspot.sg/search?q=piacentine )  

 

The ace of coins ( top row, first from right), is represented here as an eagle with a blank circle in it's chest. Although this may seem rather odd, in former times, the tax stamp ( to prove that the tax had been paid on this deck)  was stamped on the ace of coins. Hence, the makers left a blank space on the ace for this stamp. As the stamp had a coin-like design, when the stamp was impressed, the card looked more like a member of the suit.

However, when the card tax was abolished, there was no longer any need for such a stamp, and the card is left blank.