Ferd. Piatnik produced a very large range of cards with many different standard and non-standard patterns. This is a survey of his standard English output.
In around 1909 he created three sets of playing cards. His inventiveness was driven by a passion for rules, order and numbers.
During the 19th century a system of fortune telling arose in Europe using unnumbered, pictorial cards depicting popular imagery with subtitles in several languages.
“Baroque” by Ferd Piatnik & Sons, Vienna, reflecting a bygone era of fashion.
Bjørn Wiinblad (1918-2006) was a Danish painter, designer and ceramics artist
“Blue Playing Cards” by Piatnik, 1960s, inspired by the Cubism art movement in which objects are analysed and reassembled in abstracted form
Bernhard Altmann is from the “The House of Cashmere” and these playing cards honour their best known commodity: the fleece of the graceful horned Cashmere goat.
Czech “Hussite” Pack engraved by Karel Hoffmann and first printed by Jan Ritter in 1895.
Promotional deck for the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) printed by Piatnik, 1996
‘El Jokey’ Spanish-suited pack by Piatnik & Sons, Vienna, 1990s
“France Royale” Bridge Playing Cards by Piatnik depicts named historical characters from France’s royal past
“Jugendstil Art Nouveau” Bridge Nr.2136 published by Piatnik, 1980
‘Jugendstil Tarock’ was designed by Ditha Moser and first published by Albert Berger and Josef Glanz in 1906
Kaiser Jubiläum Imperial playing cards made in Austria by Ferd Piatnik & Sons, Vienna
Karl Korab was born in 1937 in Falkenstein (Lower Austria), the son of a forester. As a child he experienced the horrors of World War II, which influence his artwork today.
Piatnik’s “Lady” slim sized playing cards with attractive historical court designs
Non-Standard Literary Figures playing cards manufactured by Ferd. Piatnik & Söhne A.G., Vienna, 1924.
Lithuanian Playing Cards, reprinted by Piatnik, 1995, 2004.
Löschenkohl produced a second copper engraved deck, the Botanical Playing Cards, in 1806. This deck, as well as the Musical Playing Cards, were produced shortly before Löschenkohl’s death.
The court cards in this delightful Art Deco pack represent persons in various colourfully embroidered folkloric costumes. Designed by Hungarian artist Ilona Radnainé Szöredi.
Playing Cards made by Piatnik & Sons for the“Estanco de Naipes del Perú”, c.1960
Deck of "Industrie und Glück" or "Rural Scenes" tarock cards manufactured by Ferd Piatnik & Söhne, Vienna, c.1910.
Piccadilly Patience by Piatnik, c.1955
Piatnik’s “Popular Playing Cards” No.257
A colourful re-working of the standard Anglo-American pattern in Art Deco style.
Piatnik: Rococo No.2130 playing cards designed by Prof. Kuno Hock, c.1975
Period cartoon images from the 1930s. The Kings are in fancy dress ready to party, the Queens appear ready for socialising whilst the Jacks are already on the go.
Salzburger pattern by Ferd. Piatnik & Söhne, Vienna
‘Shakespeare’ playing cards by Piatnik designed by the British actor Donald Burton
Piatnik was known for their magnificent quality of chromo-lithographic printing, and this facsimile, or reprint, of “Soldaten Tarock No. 217” is virtually as magnificent as the original.
Piatnik & Söhne “Industrie und Glück” Tarok c.1905-1910
‘Sports Tops and Tails’ No.290 manufactured by Ferd Piatnik & Sons, Vienna, c.1950s.
‘Vienna pattern’ derived from archaic Lyon pattern by Ferd Piatnik & Söhne A.G., c.1926-1934
“Vienna Melange” Playing Cards by Piatnik with a historical feel representing the four races that make up the cultural background of Vienna
Intended to attract donations on behalf of the Imperial Royal Austrian Military Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund, this elegant and refined deck was designed by Nellie Stern. The deck was printed by Ferdinand Piatnik & Söhne, Vienna in 1916.
The Vienna pattern, or Wiener Bild, is a distant relative of the early Lyons pattern. The King of Hearts carries a scroll in his hand.
