Heathen Wars

The imagery of pre-Christian divinities in chariots on the deuces with German military on other cards in this pack is not necessarily historically accurate. In 19th-century Germany the image of heathens was shaped by the Romantic idealization of pre-Christian cultures as noble and in harmony with nature. This period also witnessed a nationalist resurgence that looked to Germanic folklore for a distinct national identity, emphasizing Germany’s historical mission: a European community based on religious, cultural, and racial traits set against a pagan non-European world.

On the king of bells is a plaque which reads “Joseph Fetscher Kartenfabricant”. Some of the numeral cards depict country folks in harmony with nature whilst other cards depict military artillery. The 7 of hearts has a figure of Fame supporting a tablet on which is an 8 Kreuzer excise stamp used in Bayern (Bavaria) from c. 1816 to 1826.

Above: Heathen War playing cards published by Joseph Fetscher, Munich. 32 playing-cards with ornamental borders, hand-coloured etching, backs printed with a pattern of circles and dots in red, early 19th Century. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number 1896,0501.259►

Overall, the 19th-century image of heathens in Germany was complex, influenced by a range of cultural, intellectual, and political factors.

Further References

Endebrock, Peter: playing-card pages: Tax Stamps from German States►

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber (German 76), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 [digital version here]

Another French suited tarot pack by Joseph Fetscher contains views and incidents connected with a naval battle, ships shelling a town, a balloon ascent, etc. British Museum number 1896,0501.171►