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Published July 16, 2012 Updated May 15, 2022

Kinder-Karte

First published in c.1870, children are presented in these miniature Patience cards disguised as Kings, Queens and Jacks. The Kings' crowns are slightly over-sized for their heads and the children are wearing false beards.

1870 Germany Dondorf Children Kinder-Karte Miniature Patience Add to Collection

Dondorf: ‘Kinder-Karte’ ~ Patience No.25

Dondorf first published these miniature Patience cards in c.1870, in which children are disguised as Kings, Queens and Jacks. The Kings' crowns are slightly over-sized for their heads and the boys are wearing false beards and moustaches. The children on the Queens and Jacks have large, clear eyes and round cheeks with dimples. Holding flowers, pets or dolls, they evoke a charming children's world. However, the cards were probably destined for an adult market too.

Above: Kinder-Karte (Patience No.25), manufactured by Dondorf GmBH after 1906. 52 cards; cards measure 55mm x 37mm. Images courtesy Barney Townshend.

See also: Piatnik Rococco Mini-PatienceDondorf Spanish PackDondorf Four Continents, c.1870Dondorf Tarot Microscopique, c.1870Dondorf Whist No.192 / Shakespeare-SpielkarteDondorf Whist No.151 / Portuguese German-style deckDondorf Lenormand Cards for H.P. Gibson, LondonDondorf Poker No.140Dondorf English packDondorf patience book

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131 Articles

By Barney Townshend

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.


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