Battles in Mexico, 1847
Uncut proof sheet with Mexican Battle scenes on the aces and portraits of American generals on the court cards.
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.
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)
The Court Cards
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
Wikipedia: Braxton Bragg►
Wikipedia: Mexican–American War►
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.
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