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Swiss Album patience

Published April 16, 2010 Updated April 29, 2025

Swiss Album patience cards by C. L. Wüst (Frankfurt), c.1900, with a different landscape on the reverse of each card.

1900 GermanySwitzerlandMiniatureSouvenirWüstPatience

Responding to the rise of tourism in Europe, Wüst, together with Müller and Dondorf, were in the forefront of the manufacture of souvenir packs featuring costumes of Swiss cantons with scenes on the aces. The result portrays Switzerland as a romantic and charming destination. The manufacturer's monogram 'C.L.W.' is visible inside the little six-pointed star on the jack of clubs • see the box

Swiss Album patience No.90 manufactured by C. L. Wüst (Frankfurt), c.1900 Swiss Album patience No.90 manufactured by C. L. Wüst (Frankfurt), c.1900 Swiss Album patience No.90 manufactured by C. L. Wüst (Frankfurt), c.1900

Above: Swiss Album patience No.90 manufactured by C. L. Wüst (Frankfurt), c.1900, with a different landscape on the reverse of each card inside a decorative oval frame. The court cards depict costumed figures along with shields from the cantons and the aces are scenic. 52 cards in box.

REFERENCES

Shaw, Martin & Symons, Paul: Playing cards from the factory C.L.Wüst, Frankfurt, Germany (1811-1927), Catalogue of the exhibition held at the Nationaal Museum van de Speelkaart, Turnhout, Belgium, 23 September-31 December 2005.

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I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.

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