Batavia
A luxury export pack expressly manufactured for the Dutch East Indies.
“Luxe Batavia” is a finely produced pack probably made by Daveluy of Bruges for the Dutch East Indies market, c.1865. The four aces contain named views of Batavia and its environs, adapted from lithographs in C. T. Deeleman’s Bataviaasch Album, published in Batavia in 1859–60. The recognisable local views give the pack a distinctive colonial character, while the elaborately stylised ‘Gothic’ suit symbols add a decorative touch to its otherwise traditional design.
The court cards are in Daveluy’s characteristic historical style, with neo-medieval figures, scenic backgrounds and separately designed upper and lower halves. Their elaborate costumes and colouring contrast with the more restrained scenic aces.
“Luxe Batavia” playing cards manufactured for the Dutch East Indies probably by Daveluy, Bruges, Belgium, c.1865. 52 cards, chromolithography, 9 x 6,1 cm, square corners. Backs have a dotted grid system in blue.. Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France
The Dutch East Indies, also known as the Netherlands East Indies, was the Dutch colonial territory corresponding broadly to present-day Indonesia. Playing cards were an established commodity in colonial society, and a Java-Bode advertisement of 1861 promoted specially made “Bataviasche Speelkaarten”, manufactured in France for consumption in the Indies, with views of Batavia on the aces. The present pack appears to belong to this same market for locally themed playing cards.
References
Bibliothèque nationale de France : Jeu de cartes néerlandais à enseignes de fantaisie, dit "des Indes néerlandaises" ►
Wikipedia : Dutch East Indies ►
Wikimedia Commons : Java-Bode advertisement of 1861 ► (scroll down to top of sixth page)
Christie's : CHARLES THEODORE DEELEMAN (1823-1884) Bataviaasch Album ►
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
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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