Early German Engraved Playing-cards
During the second half of the fifteenth century, with printing technology commercially established and playing cards already a mass-produced commodity, a succession of masterly German engravers practised their art and decorative playing cards reached a zenith.
Spanish suited playing cards made in Germany
During the second half of the fifteenth century a succession of masterly German engravers practised their art and decorative playing cards reached a zenith. The South German Engraver was one such craftsman who produced an elaborate, Gothic Spanish-suited pack of playing cards. Slightly before this the Master of the Banderoles also produced engraved Italian or Spanish-suited playing cards of which only eight cards survive. Conforming to an archaic format of 52 cards with banner 10s, female 'Sotas', horsemen and kings, these packs are of interest on account of a number of other packs with similar stylistic characteristics surviving elsewhere, suggesting an archaic prototype for the Spanish-suited pack used between c.1450-1520.
Above: five engraved cards from a pack with Spanish suit symbols made in South Germany around 1480. The inscription 'Valenzia' is visible on some cards and also the coat-of-arms of the kingdom of Aragon, for where the pack was presumably destined. The technique of engraving on copper plates, used here, permits great detail in the finished result.
The example shown above is another anonymous pack sharing similar characteristics with other examples. See also: Master of the Banderoles • The South German Engraver • Gothic Spanish Playing Cards • Master PW Circular Playing Cards • The Master of the Playing Cards
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.
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Alannyë Daeris
19 November 2025, 09:47SavedSaved this article to Decks Históricos
J. Zelen
10 June 2026, 12:40I am very interested in these cards. I believe, however, that the Lady of Batons and the Knave of Cups belong to the German deck by Master ISV, whom you refer to as the South German Engraver. The other three cards I know from an impression in Berlin, where the three prints appear together on a single uncut sheet printed from one plate.
Could you tell me where these impressions, shown in the photograph, are currently held?
In the literature (Vienna, Albertina, Spielkarten catalogue, 1974), they are described as Spanish cards rather than German cards made for the Spanish market. I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on this distinction.
At the moment, I am trying to decipher the relationship between these three cards and the set by Master ISV, and to date them more precisely. It is also interesting to observe that, based on the photographs, the cards appear to have the same dimensions and seem to be printed on the same type of paper. Is this in fact the case?
Could it perhaps be that another engraver produced a suit of denari with coins instead of pomegranates, as a complement to the deck of Master ISV? I would be very interested to hear your thoughts. Any information about these two sets of cards would be much appreciated.
Simon Wintle
13 June 2026, 08:03Yes, you are correct. That page is very old and should have been updated. The images come from a book and are, as you say, taken from two different sources which were not documented. They were most likely made for the Spanish market. Without seeing better images of the Berlin cards I will not speculate about the connection between those cards and the Master ISV, but I will be pleased to review and update that page along the lines of what you have already pointed out. Do you know where I can see better images of the Berlin cards?