Double-ended German-suited pack by Josef Glanz, Vienna.

A double-ended, German-suited pack produced by Josef Glanz in Vienna, printed by J. Wolf, in c.1880 is preserved in the British Museum collection. The 2 of bells bears a lion with “J Glanz, Wien” on a scroll. The 2 of acorns bears the Austrian arms. Although the designs are non-standard, some of the court cards are reminiscent of earlier Bavarian patterns, such as the knaves sparring with military weapons, swords or playing musical instruments, wearing varied headgear. It is not easy to say whether the four kings, holding sceptres and each having two suit symbols, are seated or standing. The court cards are devided horizontally with decorative strips. The numeral cards, also double-ended, have Roman numerals but no vignettes. See the wrapper

Above: double-ended, German-suited, 36-card pack produced by Josef Glanz, printed by J. Wolf. The backs are decorated with a zigzag pattern in red and brown achieved using rollers. The tax stamp on the VII of hearts was in use in Austria from 1877 to 1881. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Number 1896,0501.237►

The British Museum has another edition of this pack only with slight differences. It is catalogued as Museum Number 1896,0501.246*. The maker's name "Josef Glanz" appears on the 2 of bells (without the location) and the 2 of acorns bears the Austrian arms. A 4 Kreuzer German tax stamp is found on the VII of hearts, used between 1854 and 1874, and the cards have a different back design.

Above: © The Trustees of the British Museum

Reference

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber (German 41 & 42), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 [digital version here]