Bayerisches Einfachbild

The traditional Bavarian pattern / Stralsund version¹ in single-ended format produced by Vereinigte Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkartenfabriken AG (VASS). This pattern was designed specifically for the Bavarian market in competition with the older so-called Munich variant around 1880.

The connection with the Munich branch allows for the letters DS to be marked on the six of hearts. The revenue stamp on the Ace of Hearts was used from 1931 to 1936. This corresponds to the period when Walter Scharff, the original owner of the Munich factory Deutsche Spielkartenfabrik, was still working in the factory management even after the sale of VASS. The products are still marked with the logo of the original owner.

The cards depict genre scenes from rural life in Bavaria. The same cards are also produced with their own mark by the parent company VASS². Before 1931, Deutsche Spielkartenfabrik offered Munich variant³.

This particular deck measuring 100 x 56 mm contains the traditional number of 36 cards. It shows significant differences in the use of cards: the values 6, 7 and 8 are used minimally. It can therefore be assumed that the cards were used mainly for the local popular game Bavarian Schafkopf⁴, which uses a reduced deck of 24 cards.

Above: single-ended Bavarian pattern manufactured by Vereinigte Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkartenfabriken AG (VASS), 1935. 36 cards measuring 100 x 56 mm.

The solution of the corner indices is also characteristic. In the case of these single-headed cards, two different development phases are evident. An older solution on the lower edge, which only states the value of the card in both corners. In the upper left corner there is a newer addition, which states both the value and the suit. However, this is missing from the top-right corner.

References

1. IPCS Pattern sheet #55►
2. Later Bavarian Pattern►
3. Older Bayerisches Einfachbild by Deutsche Spielkartenfabrik on WWPCM►
4. Bavarian Schafkopf on pagat.com►