König Otto von Griechenland

This interesting German-suited deck of scenic playing cards commemorates the election of the Bavarian prince as King of Greece. This historical episode closely follows the events of the Greek War of Independence from 1821 to 1829. Subsequently, in 1832, a Greek delegation acting on behalf of the Greek National Assembly offered the crown to the Bavarian Prince Otto in Munich (the traditional Oktoberfest was postponed that year for this reason).

The 6 of a suit contains a legend explaining the imagery depicted on the other cards of that suit. The creator does not require the user to ponder the meaning of the imagery. Even so, the cards raise questions about the reason for their creation. Although the deck celebrates Otto’s election as king and his accession to the Greek throne, his image does not appear on the court cards. These are reserved for the heroes of the Greek struggle for independence and for depicting the uniforms of the Bavarian soldiers sent to Greece. The numbered cards depict genre scenes from Greece, from the struggle for independence, and from King Otto’s arrival in Greece. Here, too, King Otto is not highlighted in any way. Perhaps he is the central figure on the white horse on the Ace of Hearts or the rider at the military parade on the Eight of Clubs. It appears that the deck was intended to familiarize the domestic (Bavarian) audience with current events and themes of the newly allied nation in southern Europe. (The depiction of local Greek Palikari fighters, participants in the original fight for independence, on the bell cards somewhat dishonours their participation in the Bavarian military campaign.)

The deck contains 36 single-ended cards featuring German suits, as is customary in the region. The cards are executed as copperplate engravings with stencil coloring. The colour scheme is dominated by three shades of blue, two shades of red, and a golden yellow, complemented by other colours. The rich colour scheme and overall design indicate a product aimed at wealthier customers.

Acorns

Ace - Unveiling of Otto's Column in the Perlach Forest, erected by Ant. Ripfel on February 13, 1834, in the presence of Greek troops

King - Markos Botsaris (1790–1823)

Ober - Theodoros Kolokotronis (1770–1843)

Unter - Greek uhlan (type of cavalry soldier)

X - Troops resting on their march to Greece

IX - Embarkation at Friest

VIII - Military parade of volunteers

VII - March of the uhlans through Tyrol to Trieste.

Bells

Ace – A parade of volunteers at Wittelsbacherplatz before their departure for Frieze

King – Dimitris Plapoutas (1786–1865)

Ober – Theodoros Grivas (1797–1862)

Unter – Greek artilleryman

X – Palikari (greek warriors), far from the burning Missolonghi

IX – Greek inhabitants

VIII – Palikari in battle

VII – Greek woman with children

Hearts

The tax stamp on the eight of hearts was used in Bavaria between 1837 and 1849. Other collections contain decks with even older tax stamps from 1826–1837. The unveiling of the monument known as Otto’s Column on the acorn ace historically took place on February 13, 1834. Together with the dated scene on the leaf ace, the origin of the original printing plate can be dated to the years 1834–1837.

Ace - The entry of His Majesty King Otto I into Nafplio, February 6, 1833

King - Andreas Miaoulis (1765–1835)

Ober – Alexandros Ypsilanti (1792–1828)

Unter - Greek clergyman

X - Greeks on the island of Aegina

IX - Greek women in the port of Nafplio

VIII - Landing of volunteers in Nafplio

VII - Greek artillerymen marching toward Frieze.

Leaves

Ace - A review of the troops returning from Greece, conducted by His Majesty the King. January 19, 1834

King - Nikitas Stamatelopoulos (1784–1849)

Jack - Georgios Karaiskakis (1782–1827)

Unter - Greek grenadier

X - Departure of volunteers from Munich

IX - Russian victory over the Turks at Shumla

VIII - Meeting of King Otto with his brother, the Crown Prince of Bavaria, in the ruins of the palace in Megara

VII - Attempted escape of 40 criminals from the bombproof tower in Thebes in 1833

Above: Bavarian playing cards König Otto von Griechenland 36 complete cards. Ace, King, Ace, Jack, 10–6 of each suit, ca. 1835–40, copperplate engraving, stencil-colored, thick cardboard, 9.8 cm x 5.1 cm

Münchner Stadtmuseum : Inventarnummer A-Ic/137.1-36 ►

It is worth comparing this with the solution for the Bayerische Militärkarte in the article by Rod Starling ►