The Austrian Salzburger pattern is a later variant of, and more or less the same as, the German Bavarian pattern, except that it has the Salzburg coat-of-arms (a turreted gateway) on the king of bells’ shield. The king of hearts’ shield has a barred anchor and a blindfold cupid appears on the two, or daus, of hearts. With its other cousins from neighbouring countries (Bohemian and Franconian patterns) its origin can be traced back to cards of the 16th century. The small vignettes on the numeral cards, depicting folkloric scenes, add extra charm.
Above: Salzburger pattern by Ferd. Piatnik & Söhne, Vienna. 36 cards, single-ended courts. The ‘WELI’ card (six of bells together with one pip of acorns and hearts) is found in several German-suited Austrian packs. Images courtesy Matt Probert.
By Matt Probert
Member since March 02, 2012
View ArticlesI have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.
Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.
Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.
I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.
Recommended
Kaffeehaus-Pikett
Kaffeehaus-Pikett featuring the old Viennese Large Crown pattern, made by ASS.
64: The descendants of the French regional patterns: 2
A continuation of the development of the off-spring of the Paris patterns and a few examples of how the French regional figures have inspired modern designers.
63: The descendants of the French regional patterns: 1
A great many regional patterns were exported from France and subsequently copied elsewhere. Some of them became local standards in their own right.
62: French regional patterns: the queens and jacks
Continuing our look at the figures from the regional patterns of France.
61: French regional patterns: the kings
On page 11 I illustrated several examples of the regional French patterns from Sylvia Mann's collection; this is a more in-depth look at the figures of these patterns ("portraits" in French).
Modern English Court
Modern English court style by Games & Print Services Limited, c.1997.
Dal Negro Bridge set
Dal Negro Bridge set featuring old Vienna pattern courts.
Carte Romane
“Carte Romane” designed by Giorgio Pessione, 1973, celebrating the history of Rome.
Sarde Pattern
Sarde pattern published by Modiano, c.1975, based on early XIX century Spanish model.
Triestine Pattern
The Triestine pattern is derived from the Venetian (Trevisane) pattern but with its own characteristics.
Trentine Pattern
Trentine Pattern
Primiera Bolognese
Primiera Bolognese by Modiano, c.1975
Bergamasche Pattern
Bergamasche Pattern by Modiano, 1970s.
Jonas Fouquet Navarra Pattern
Navarra Pattern by Jonas Fouquet, c.1720 and c.1820.
Navarra Pattern, 1682
Navarra pattern produced for the Pamplona General Hospital Monopoly in 1682.
Hermanos Solesi
“Money Bag” pattern by Hermanos Solesi, late 18th c.
Dvouhlavé Hrací Karty
“Dvouhlavé Hrací Karty” (Czech Seasons playing cards) made by Obchodní Tiskárny, c.1980.
AGMüller English Pattern
AGMüller standard English pattern for the Royal Jordanian Airline, 1980s
Georg Kapfler
Antique deck of old Bohemian playing cards of the German type manufactured by Georg Kapfler and dated 1611.
Genovesi Pattern
Genoese pattern from Italy.
Modern Swiss-German Pattern
Modern Swiss-German Pattern by AGMüller, c.2000.
Skat Express
One end Berlin pattern the other standard English pattern
Popular No.257
Piatnik’s “Popular Playing Cards” No.257
Salzburger Pattern
Salzburger pattern by Ferd. Piatnik & Söhne, Vienna
Woolley & Co: “Second Harrys”
Woolley & Co produced a range of different quality playing cards, and these “Second Harrys” are towards the cheaper end of the range.
Brepols Genoese pattern
“Cartes Françaises” and Genoese pattern by Brepols.
Dutch Pattern for Van Perlstein
Brepols Dutch Pattern for Van Perlstein distillery, c.1960.
Woolley & Co: “Eurekas”
Woolley & Co: “Eureka” playing cards with rounded corners, small index pips and decorative back design, c.1880-1885.
Rhineland Pattern by KZWP
Rhineland pattern by KZWP.
North German pattern
The North German pattern appeared in the mid-19th century, derived from the French ‘Paris’ pattern,
Bavarian Pattern
Bavarian single-ended pattern by Vereinigte Altenburg-Stralsunder Spielkarten-Fabriken A-G., c.1937
Portuguese pattern
19th century Portuguese pattern, re-printed from original woodblocks.
Old Bavarian pattern
Uncut sheet of playing cards of the Old Bavarian pattern by Michael Schatzberger, Passau, 1780
Monic
‘Monic’ brand playing cards, c.1930s
German Saxon Pattern
The German Saxon Pattern or “Schwerdter Karte”.
Bohemian Pattern
The Bohemian Pattern, sometimes called the Prager Pattern, has roots in the 16th century.
Provence Pattern
The 'Provence' pattern contains figures which go back to the fifteenth century.
![28: How to Analyze and Differentiate Playing Card Plates (De La Rue, Waddington and the Berlin pattern [französisches Bild])](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/var/www/wopc.co.uk/htdocs/images/blog/2015/10/JS_D1-D2-D3.d1221daf.jpg "28: How to Analyze and Differentiate Playing Card Plates (De La Rue, Waddington and the Berlin pattern [französisches Bild])")
28: How to Analyze and Differentiate Playing Card Plates (De La Rue, Waddington and the Berlin pattern [französisches Bild])
My interest in postage stamp variants led me to apply the same principles to playing cards.
27: Cards at Strangers’ Hall, Norwich
There is a very interesting collection of playing cards held at the Strangers' Hall Museum in Norwich.
L. P. Holmblad c.1840
L. P. Holmblad's house pattern used from c.1840. The K♠ carries a harp as in the traditional French-type cards; but the J♠ is sleeping with his arms folded and his shield resting behind him.