Prager Pattern by Bratří Willnerové, Teplice

Published March 10, 2025 Updated March 10, 2025

Traditional single-ended Prager pattern by Willner Brothers from northern Bohemia.

1920 CzechoslovakiaWillner BrüderBohemian or Prager PatternStandard Pattern

The local manufacturer “Bratří Willnerové, Teplice / Willner Brüder, Teplitz” was active in the period 1920-1940 in northern Bohemia. As part of their assortment of standard card designs, they offered customers the “Pražské jednohlavé Čís. 12” (Prager single-ended No.12) deck. This high-quality product does not deviate from the norm and presents a traditional design without any modifications. The cards are made in the size of 64 x 104 mm with an ornamental back, typical for this manufacturer. The tax stamp in combination with the sticker on the packaging with the date 1920 determines the production of the deck in the early days of the manufacturer’s activity.

The company name is commonly stated in bilingual Czech and German; the company worked in a predominantly German region. The package cover (see below) emphasizes the Czech name, perhaps in keeping with the social mood in the newly formed state or as a simple targeting of the majority customer.

Prager Pattern by Bratří Willnerové, Teplice, 1920 Prager Pattern by Bratří Willnerové, Teplice, 1920

Above: Prager single-ended No.12 pattern by Bratří Willnerové, Teplice (Willner Brüder, Teplitz), 1920.

The Packaging

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Prager Pattern by Bratří Willnerové, Teplice, 1920
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By Marek Brejcha

Czech Republic • Member since June 13, 2024 • Contact

My relationship with cards grew from playing to collecting and transformed into publishing as well. I am part of the team at Counter Clockwise, a small company that publishes traditional card games.

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