Early German Engraved Playing-cards

Published July 03, 1996 • Updated July 19, 2022

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

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By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact

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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Early German Engraved Playing-cards

Spanish suited playing cards made in Germany

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