Jacob Holmblad, 1820s
The Q♥ has a butterfly net in which she has caught four hearts. Many of Holmblad's designs were replaced or changed in different editions, but this design was not used again.
Jacob Holmblad produced various grades of fine and extra fine playing cards and tarots in his factory in Copenhagen, for sale at various prices. In this edition the designs are moving away from the traditional French style towards a Danish pattern. The Q♥ has a butterfly net in her hand in which she has caught four hearts. Many of Holmblad's designs were re-drawn, replaced or changed in different editions, but this particular card was not used again by Jacob Holmblad or his son. Similarly the Q♦, dressed for winter, was discarded. However, other figures (Q♣, J♠) re-appear in later, more refined versions by Lauritz P. Holmblad. The cards shown here appear to be produced in a lower grade of printing and quality which would have been sold at a lower price.
Above: playing cards made by Jacob Holmblad, Copenhagen, 1820s.
REFERENCES
Hinrup, Hans J.: The Holmblad Playing Card Patterns, in "The Playing-Card" vol.33 no.4, IPCS London, Apr-June 2005.
Jensen, K. Frank: French suited tarot packs in Denmark and the Jacob Holmblad Animal tarot, in "The Playing-Card" vol.36 no.3, IPCS London, Apr-June 2008. [download here].
All images courtesy K. Frank Jensen.
By Simon Wintle
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.
Related Articles
Jim Lyngvild playing cards
Photographs of Danish royalty as imagined by fashion designer Jim Lyngvild.
Damn! Fools by Moon
Damn! Fools playing cards designed by Leo Scherfig, 2022.
Valhalla spillekort
Characters from the Valhalla comics, designed by Peter Madsen, as commemorated on a Danish stamp.
Old School Playing cards from Moon
Designed and published by Leo Scherfig
Dandy Rock’n Bubble
56 rock and pop stars of the 1980s, issued in Denmark with bubble gum.
Jeanne l’Hachette
Jeanne l’Hachette reprint of 19th century transformation deck, Denmark, 1976.
Velux International
Publicity pack for the Danish company, Velux, manufacturers of roof windows and skylights.
Adolph Wulff Kort No.70
Playing cards for Denmark made by C.L. Wüst
Flying Tiger playing cards
An “eco-conscious” product with fun, modern designs from Denmark.
Dronning Margrethe II
Elegant, elongated cards designed by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.
Nederlands Stedenkwartet
Nederlands Stedenkwartet with heraldic needlepoint patterns by Permin, c.1970.
Souvenir of Norway
Souvenir of Norway deck.
Kalevala
Kalevala playing cards by Sunish Chabba and Ishan Trivedi inspired by ancient Finnish mythology.
Views from Norway
“54 Views from Norway” souvenir playing cards published by Normanns Kunstforlag A/S, c.1990s.
Warburg’s Danske
Warburg’s Danske playing cards published by Aktieselskabet Emil Jensen, København, 1944.
Warburg’s Skandinaviske Bridge Kort
“Warburg’s Skandinaviske Bridge Kort” published by Aktieselskabet Emil Jensen, København, c.1935.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
