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Published June 06, 2012 Updated June 28, 2023

Klubams

Klubams (for the clubs) playing cards manufactured in Lithuania by Spindulys Printing House (Kaunas), c.1930.

1930 Lithuania Spindulys Add to Collection

Klubams, c.1930

Klubams (‘for clubs’) playing cards manufactured in Lithuania by Spindulys Printing House.

Historical context: in early 1919 the Soviet army occupied Lithuania's capital Vilnius and installed a Soviet government. Following strong Lithuanian resistance, the Soviet Union signed a peace treaty with Lithuania in 1920. These cards were produced during this period of independence and contain motifs referring to Lithuania's heroic history and national identity. Lithuania's fragile independence ended in June 1940, when the country once more was occupied by the Soviet Union.

Klubams playing cards manufactured in Lithuania by Spindulys Printing House (Kaunas), c.1930 tax stamp on Ace of Diamonds

Above: Klubams (for the clubs) playing cards manufactured in Lithuania by Spindulys Printing House (Kaunas), c.1930.

Right: tax stamp on the Ace of Diamonds which reads: "Lietuvos Valstybes Monopolio Kortos" (Lithuania State Playing-card Monopoly).

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14 Articles

By Albinas Borisevičius

Member since July 01, 2010

I have been collecting cards since 1968, of course, then there were no contacts with world collectors, so my collection was very small. It was only in 1991, when Lithuania declared its independence, that it was possible to have contact with the world. It was a great honor for me to attend the IPCS convention in Munich, where I found many friends-colleagues. I managed to make an agreement with the Viennese card factory to print the ancient cards of Lithuania (PILYS).

My area of collecting - classic mirror-type cards and tourist cards - with images of cities, countries, photos. Also topics Sherlock Holmes, Alexander Dumas, Discover, Chess, Basketball, postage stamps on the cards. Since I am already 75 years old, I don't work, so I can't buy old cards (I really like classic cards from the 1920-1950 period). But my opinion is that it is better to have a card copy than nothing, so I will print one set of cards in Vilnius for my collection. Of course, if anyone wants, I can print it for them too. You can see my printed cards here: Lithuania - Orija.

I have published one book in Lithuania about cards and card games (in Lithuanian, about 400 pages): Albinas Borisevicius. Pirmasis padalijimas (The first deal)


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