English pattern by Bielefelder Spielkarten
Standard designs by Bielefelder Spielkarten GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany, c1966.
Strong colours, notably yellow, red and blue, have been used to create these designs, copying those of Brown & Bigelow (BB2). In Ken Lodge’s collection, there is a version of this pack with switched red-suit Kings (see blog/german-misc.pdf, page 4) and indices in four corners. In the present pack, the Kings have not been switched and there are indices in only two corners. The manufacturer’s logo appears on the Ace of Spades and the 10 of Hearts. The back design shown here was used on other packs, including “Comtesse”, and was later adopted by A.S.S. for some of their packs.
Above: Standard English pattern by Bielefelder Spielkarten GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany, c1966. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 bridge score card (which doubles as an extra Joker). Size: 60 x 91 mm.
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Related Articles
OH Cards
A Series of Metaphoric Cards to unlock your story, conceived and designed by Ely Raman
VEB Kombinat Kali
Advertising pack depicting old means of salt production, with designs by Hannelore Heise.
Burghausen
Historical figures and buildings to promote the town of Burghausen, with designs by Jonny Petri.
Wiener Pattern – Nuremberg Version
A classic deck in a new illustrative style, with notable variations in line work, detail, and colour...
Luditz Pattern by Georg Geiselreiter
The discovery of 2024 changes the current state of knowledge of the history of this pattern.
CARD-AB Miltenberg
Illustrations by Rita Stern depicting notable landmarks and scenes from the town of Miltenberg in Ge...
Czech National Patterns by S.D. Modiano
Modiano produced cards with the Prague and Trappola patterns in the early 20th century.
New Altenburg Skat cards – German DDR Pattern
Authentic Altenburger Skat cards with German suits (Acorns, Hearts, Leaves, Bells).
German Travel Cards
A travel-themed educational deck helping American tourists visiting Germany.
Doppel-Deutsche Karten by Bratří Willnerové, Teplice
This deck from local manufacturer Bratří Willnerová offers a standard version of the popular Central...
Briefmarken-Quartett
Quartet game featuring postage stamps from the Zones of Occupation in post-WWII Germany.
Prager Pattern by Bratří Willnerové, Teplice
Traditional single-ended Prager pattern by Willner Brothers from northern Bohemia.
IG Chemie Papier Keramik
Promotional pack designed by Karl-Heinz Schroers for a German trade union with comical bears on the ...
Engel-Tarot
Set of major arcana designed by Alois Hanslian depicting angels throughout.
Virgil Solis
Remarkable pack of 52 animal-suited playing-cards designed and etched by Virgil Solis.
Politiker-Skat by Bubec
Caricatures of world leaders, including many German politicians, by the artist Bubec.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
