German hunting pack by Theodor Wegener
Hunters, animals and birds feature on all but the Kings in this pack by Theodor Wegener, c.1863-70.
Hunting was a popular theme on German playing cards during the 19th century. Here each pip card features a charming hunting scene at the foot, with hunters carrying rifles on the Obers and Unters. The Kings are seated. The maker’s name, Theodor Wegener of Stralsund, is on the Daus of Hearts. T. Wegener died in 1863. The slightly later tax stamp was in use in Prussia between 1868 and 1874. Square corners. Purple wash backs. Packs such as this one may have been the inspiration behind what became the Prussian pattern.
Above: German hunting pack by Theodor Wegener, possibly involving a lithographic process, c.1863-70. 36 cards. Size: 61 x 100 mm. The backs are a mottled purple/white wash pattern.
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
View ArticlesRoddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Leave a Reply
Recommended
Rococo Whist-Bridge Nr.53
printed by Flemming-Wiskott A.G. of Glogau
Hunting playing cards
Hunting playing cards / “Okhotnich’i karty” with illustrations by the court artist Mihály Zichy.
Lattmann No.9 playing cards
with illustrated views of Dutch cities on the aces. This pack is for sale or exchange.
Dondorf Patience playing cards No.26
Patience playing cards with children in historical costumes
My Fair Lady
Theatre programme in the form of a pack of cards. East Germany, c.1967.
German hunting pack by Theodor Wegener
Hunters, animals and birds feature on all but the Kings in this pack by Theodor Wegener, c.1863-70.
Dondorf related ephemera
A few items used for advertising or displaying Dondorf playing card products.
C.L.Wüst Poster Stamps
A set of advertising poster stamps for C.L.Wüst playing cards.
Miniature Theatre playing cards
Miniature playing cards, possibly for children, with a romantic theatrical theme. C.L. Wüst c.1890.
A miniature theatrical pack of playing cards, Germany? c.1900
This miniature pack is very similar to one made by C.L.Wúst in c.1890.
Playing cards for the Bombay Market
An interesting pack of playing cards with illustrated Indian aces made "Specially for the Bombay Market", c.1915.
The Kiss, 1808
‘Aphorisms on the Kiss’ published by C. A. Solbrig, Leipzig, 1808.
Wüst Spanish pattern
Wüst Spanish pattern c.1910 advertising Cuban ‘Tropical’ beer.
Anonymous possibly Kaspar Traugott Knaut.
The maker is possibly Kaspar Traugott Knaut (1799-1881).
Schweizer Trachten
Schweizer Trachten No.174 (Costumes Suisses) by Dondorf.
History of Playing Cards explained in 5 Minutes
Video by Art of Impossible. In this video you will get a short overview of the most important historical facts about playing cards and their history.
J. W. Spear and Sons
Jacob Wolfe Spear founded his company manufacturing fancy goods in 1879 near Nuremberg in Bavaria, Germany
Andere Zeiten - Andere Kleider
‘History of fashion’ cultural quartet game designed by Erika Werner-Nestler, 1954.
The ‘Rinker’ Snap
The ‘Rinker’ highly amusing snap game, c.1910.
Geschichte des Buchgewerbes
Geschichte des Buchgewerbes illustrated by Ludwig Winkler, published by Verlag für Lehrmittel Pößneck.
So Fängt Es An
“So Fängt Es An” beautifully illustrated by M. Neugebauer, published by Helingsche Verlagsanstalt.
Verkehrsmittel Einst und Jetzt
“Verkehrsmittel Einst und Jetzt” transport quartet game by Bielefelder Spielkarten Fabrik GmbH, 1958.
Asterix Abenteuer
Asterix Adventure quartet game by ASS, 1989.
Tout Est Bien Qui Finit Bien
‘Tout Est Bien Qui Finit Bien’ family card game by Dondorf.
Zwarte Piet
Zwarte Piet by Dondorf for the Dutch market, 1906.
Gulliver im Land der Zwerge
Gulliver in the Land of Dwarfs quartet published by Verlag für Lehrmittel, Pößneck.
Bass & Bass Jeu des Familles
Bass & Bass ‘Jeu des Familles’ made by Franz-Josef Holler, Münich, 1989.
Bedeutende Erfindungen im Alltag
‘Significant Inventions in Everyday Life’ quartet game published by Verlag für Lehrmittel, Pössneck, 1979.
“Deck with French suits”
A facsimile of an early 19th century French-suited deck from the collection of F.X. Schmid.
Geschichte des Motorrades
History of Motorcycles quartet published by Verlag für Lehrmittel Pößneck, 1989.
Loriot Rummy
Delightful comical deck designed by Loriot, the German cartoonist and comedian, 1973.
Kaffeehaus-Pikett
Kaffeehaus-Pikett featuring the old Viennese Large Crown pattern, made by ASS.
Musikinstrumente
Musikinstrumente quartet game published by Verlag für Lehrmittel, Pössneck, 1984.
Seefahrers II
‘Seefahrers’ maritime deck designed by Klaus Ensikat for Deutsche Seereederei Rostock, GDR.
Darling
Darling pin-up playing cards designed by Heinz Villiger, c.1950s-60s.
Sprookjes Kwartet
Fairy Tales quartet published by Heinrich Schwarz + Co for Dutch market, c.1970.
Einhorn
‘Einhorn’ designed by Richard König, c.1986.
Renovation 2.000
Renovation 2.000 playing cards with special courts designed by Jean Hoffmann.
Märchen-Quartett
Fairy Tales quartet game by F.X. Schmid, Munich, 1960.
Deutsche Nutzpflanzen
Deutsche Nutzpflanzen - Quartett game promoting Kali brand crop fertilizer, 1938.