Einköpfige Deutsche Spielkarte No.303
Dondorf's ‘Einköpfige Deutsche Spielkarte No.303’ (‘Single-ended German Playing Cards’) were produced during the period 1900-1930.
Dondorf's ‘Einköpfige Deutsche Spielkarte No.303’ (‘Single-ended German Playing Cards’) were produced during the period 1900-1930. As the title suggests, the cards are single-ended with German suit symbols (acorns, bells, hearts & leaves). Three of the Deuces (top row) feature crests bearing a stylized imperial and Frankfurt eagle, a bear with the initials ‘BD’, and other heraldic emblems which are a nod to patriotism. The fourth Deuce shows a romantic love scene, with no jealous rival peeping except the head on an erect column. The court card images are reminiscent of 16th century bourgeois lifestyle; but rather than depicting warriors or soldiers, here we see more ordinary folks: a falconer, farm workers, a fool, a minstrel. Most of the court card figures are facing to the left. The numeral cards have charming illustrations of rural scenes, for which the city-dweller yearns, which are actually from a later time period than the court card figures. Indeed, the Nine of Bells shows a man looking through a pair of binoculars.
Above: Dondorf's ‘Einköpfige Deutsche Spielkarte No.303’, printed by chromolithography, 36 cards (no Joker), 62mm x 104mm, no indices. Images courtesy Barney Townshend.
By Barney Townshend
United Kingdom • Member since October 06, 2015
Retired Airline Pilot, interested in: Transformation Playing Cards, Karl Gerich and Elaine Lewis. Secretary of the EPCS. Treasurer of the IPCS.
Activity for Einköpfige Deutsche Spielkarte No.303
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Englische Karten nr.190
Dondorf Nr.190“Englische Karten”, 1867-1895.
Vues et Caractères Suisses No.228
A Swiss souvenir pack by Dondorf
Rococo Whist-Bridge Nr.53
printed by Flemming-Wiskott A.G. of Glogau
Dondorf Patience playing cards No.26
Patience playing cards with children in historical costumes
Figures Amusantes
French language edition of a children's quartet game published by B. Dondorf, c.1900, consisting of ...
Pierre l’Ebouriffé
Heinrich Hoffmann (1809-1894) wrote the Struwwelpeter stories in 1847 for his son Carl. The stories ...
La Zoologie
Dondorf's “La Zoologie” card game no.335 features a collection of 40 chromolithographic prints of sp...
Wappen-Quartett
A coat-of-arms quartet game published by B. Dondorf, c.1900
Birma Karte or Englische Karten
Based upon older ‘standard’ patterns, the Kings and Queens are three-quarter length figures whilst t...
Hauptstadte Spiel
Each Ace shows views of two European capital cities.
Hundertjahrkarte
A new ‘medieval look’ is intended to suggest the power and virtue of the German character.
Whist No.178 ‘Stuart Zeit’
Although not historically accurate this example is subtitled “Stuart period”, with rich costumes cre...
Cartes Comiques, 1870-1888
“Cartes Comiques”, published by B. Dondorf, printed by chromolithography, c.1870-1888.
Deutsches Luxusbild
The court cards in this well designed double-ended pack are realistically dressed in 16th century co...
Club Karte
There have been many variations in the design of “Club Karte” including the introduction of borders,...
10: Playing Cards in Germany
The playing card manufacturers of Germany from 1900 until 1939 provide a complicated set of relation...
Poker No. 140
Dondorf Poker-Karte No. 195, re-issued as Poker No. 140 for the "Argentina Compañia General de Naveg...
Dondorf
The luxury playing card factory founded in Frankfurt am Main by Bernhard Dondorf in 1833 existed for...
Tarot Microscopique
French-suited tarot cards made by B. Dondorf, c.1870.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
