Battles in Mexico, 1847

Published July 24, 2024 • Updated July 24, 2024

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. 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)

Battles in Mexico, 1847 © The Trustees of the British Museum

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►

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By Simon Wintle

Spain • 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.