Old Bavarian pattern
Uncut sheets of playing cards of the Old Bavarian pattern by Michael Schatzberger, Passau, c.1780.
An uncut sheet containing half of a set of 36 playing-cards of the Old Bavarian type, which has roots in the early 16th century. The cards are the twelve court cards, the four deuces, the 10 of leaves and the 7 of hearts. Several newer regional patterns, such the Bavarian, the Bohemian or Prague, the Franconian, the Salzburg and the Tyrolean patterns are derived from this. The images recall some 16th century German cards by Heinrich Hauk►
Above: uncut sheet of German-suited playing cards in the old Bavarian pattern, c.1790. The back of the sheet is printed in black with a pattern of fleurs-de-lis. The monogram M.S. (Michael Schatzberger, Passau) appears on the king of hearts. Image taken from Fisher (1946) where it is incorrectly assigned to Martin Schongauer.
Above: two uncut sheets of the Old Bavarian pattern produced by Michael Schatzberger, late 18th century. The numeral cards have little vignettes at the bottom with animals or rural scenes. The 7 of leaves has a cartouche with "Fabricirt in Passau" and 8 of leaves reads "Feine deutsche Karten von Michael Schatzberger". The king of acorns has a shield bearing the maker's mark. © The Trustees of the British Museum • numbers 1896,0501.1133 and 1896,0501.1134►
REFERENCES
British Museum online: 1896,0501.1125►
Fisher, Margaret Sargent: The Devil's Picture Books, The Yale University Library Gazette, Vol. 20, No. 3 (January 1946), pp. 41-47
I.P.C.S. Pattern Sheet 53►
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.
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