Miniature playing cards by Joseph Fetscher
Uncut sheet of miniature Bavarian playing cards by Joseph Fetscher.
A 36-card miniature set of playing cards on an uncut sheet by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, early 19th century. Four German suits of 9 cards: (deuce, king, over-knave, under-knave, 6-10). Beneath the suit symbols on pip cards little vignettes illustrate simple ornamental scenes. The maker’s name can be found on the six of hearts. The four kings’ shields are not clearly visible. Cards measure 14 x 17 mm.
Above: uncoloured, uncut sheet of 36-card miniature playing cards by Joseph Fetscher, etching, Munich, 19th century. Backs marbled in green, red and yellow. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number 1896,0129.1.61►
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.
Activity for Miniature playing cards by Joseph Fetscher
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Ethnological Tarot by Joseph Fetscher
Joseph Fetscher's inventive, ethnographic tarot from Munich c.1820.
Trappola pack by Joseph Fetscher
Trappola pack published by Joseph Fetscher, Graz, 1739.
Animal Tarot by Joseph Fetscher
French-suited Natural History Tarot deck by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1820.
Heathen Wars
German-suited ‘Heathen War’ playing cards published by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1820.
Mythological and Allegorical tarot
Mythological and Allegorical tarot produced by Peter Paul Fetscher junior, Munich.
Fantasy deck by Joseph Fetscher
Fantasy French-suited pack produced by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1825.
Vogelspiel
Vogelspiel, a German card game known as the “cuckoo game” also known as “Gnau”.
Bavaria pattern
Classic German-suited Bavarian pattern by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, early 19th century.
Historical playing cards by Joseph Fetscher
Historical playing cards by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1820.
F. X. Schmid Mini-Patience
Miniature Patience playing cards in Rococo style published by F. X. Schmid, c.1960
Miniature Disney deck
Mickey Mouse card game is part of a promotion for Rübezahl Schokoladen GmbH (Germany).
Goodall & Son’s Patience & Miniature packs
Goodall & Son’s Patience & Miniature packs came in various styles of box and back design, c.1890-193...
Otto Tragy Jugendstil Spielkarten
Special Jugendstil playing cards designed by Otto Tragy and first published by Altenburger Spielkart...
Wüst Oval Patience
C. L. Wüst Oval Patience Karten No. 240, beautifully printed by chromolithography, c.1910.
Patience No.21
‘Patience No.21’ is a 52-card miniature deck with double-ended courts and a Joker holding a fan of c...
Four Continents Patience
Dondorf's 'Four Continents' Patience, c.1910.
Pigmy Playing Cards
Pigmy Miniature Playing Cards
Swiss Album patience
Swiss Album patience cards by C. L. Wüst (Frankfurt), c.1900, with a different landscape on the reve...
German playing cards
Card-playing rapidly became popular in medieval Bavaria and German printers were quick to supply the...
Miniature Playing Cards
Miniature Playing Cards from around the world.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
Glo Lexa
28 April 2026, 00:16SavedSaved this article to Glo Lexa's Collection