Estonian Historic Playing Cards

Published August 27, 2006 Updated July 16, 2024

The court cards and indices on Estonian playing cards are Södur, Emand, Kuninga.

1930 EstoniaEthnic & IndigenousHistoricMonopoliesAxel Rosmann

The cards illustrated below were designed by Axel Rosmann and printed chromolithographically in Estonia by the State Printing House in Tallinn, c.1930. A full-sized pack and a patience pack were produced. The designs of the court cards reflect Estonia's early history, showing Calmics/Tartars from Russia and Gypsies or Persians who had migrated. Click here to see the wrapper.

The court cards and indices on Estonian playing cards are Södur, Emand,Kuninga.

cards designed by Axel Rosmann See article by Jānis Mētra in The Playing Card, vol.32, no.4, Jan-Feb 2004.

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By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact

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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