Fantasy Bavarian pack

This German-suited, single-figure deck by J C Jegel (1791-1837) in medieval style is a variation on the Bavarian pattern. The four kings are seated next to shields bearing coats-of-arms. The four twos (Deuces) also depict clusters of shields. The upper- and under-knaves are shown sparring in three of the suits, whilst in the suit of leaves they are a musician and a falconer. The numeral cards all have vignettes beneath the suit marks depicting wild animals or country pastimes. The maker’s name can be read on the 8 of leaves.

When Johann Conrad Jegel died in 1837 his widow continued running the business until 1857, whereupon Johann Wilhelm Sass took over. This is a relatively early production from the Jegel factory published around 1830-35. The figures and vignettes are artistically engraved in a clear and tidy style.

Above: early Bavarian-style deck by Johann Conrad Jegel, Nürnberg, Germany , c.1835. 36 cards: etching coloured with stencil; 9.1 x 5.1 cm. Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France • Jeu de cartes au portrait allemand de fantaisie►

Technological developments in the nineteenth century saw the industrial city of Nuremberg grow to become one of German’s most prosperous cities.