Battles in Mexico, 1847

This proof sheet from the British Museum collection has four double-ended aces and twelve court cards with French suits, in which the aces are illustrated with Battles from the Mexican–American War of 1846/7. The four kings are named portraits of American generals. The titles and inscriptions are in English language, suggesting the pack was made for the American market. Museum Number 1896,0501.1194►

The Four Aces

The four aces depict 8 intricately engraved battle scenes in which American soldiers are engaged in an invasion of Mexico from 1846 to 1847, and in which Mexico suffered large losses of life from both the military and civilian populations, leaving it in a state of degradation and ruin (click to zoom)

Above: the four aces show Mexican battle scenes at each end with captions at top and bottom. The ace of hearts has an additional caption across the middle which reads: “A little more grape Capt Bragg” referring to the Battle of Buena Vista in 1847, when Bragg was ordered to join Gen. Zachary Taylor © The Trustees of the British Museum • Number 1896,0501.1194►

The Court Cards

Above: the twelve double-ended court cards from a set issued at Frankfurt depicting incidents in the Mexican-American war on the aces. Only the four kings are named: Major General Zachary Taylor, General D.E. Twiggs, Major General Winfield Scott and General William J. Worth. Museum Number 1896,0501.1194.

The British Museum also has a complete 32-card pack (Schreiber German Packs No. 203), with an Imperial German tax stamp on the ace of hearts, backs described as mottled blue plaid pattern, in original wrapper • Museum Number 1896,0501.906.+►

A facsimile was produced from a copy in the Dallas Historical Society (standard or embossed): Mexican-American War Poker Deck►

References

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber (German 203 & Sheets German 44), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 [digital version here]

Wikipedia: Braxton Bragg►

Wikipedia: Mexican–American War►