Historical playing cards by Joseph Fetscher

Published December 11, 2023 • Updated April 10, 2024

Historical playing cards by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1820.

German-suited playing cards, illustrated with full-figure historical characters on the courts and vignettes on the numeral cards alluding to various events, produced by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1820. “Ritter Bayard”, “Kuno von Kyberg”, “Herzog Burgund”, etc. The deuce of hearts has the arms of Munich arranged as a trophy and the 8 of hearts is lettered “Joseph Fetscher Kartenfabricant in München”. All the cards have a decorative border.

Above: Historical playing cards by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1820. 36 cards, hand-coloured etching, backs printed with a pattern of red circles and stars, early 19th century. The tax stamp on the 7 of hearts was used between c.1816 to 1826. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number 1896,0501.256►

References

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber (German 23), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 [digital version here]

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

Bibliothèque nationale de France: Jeu de cartes allemand c.1804-1815►

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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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Historical playing cards by Joseph Fetscher

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