Schiller deck

Schiller deck, C. L. Wüst, Frankfurt/Main, c.1834

Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (1759 – 1805) was a German poet, philosopher, historian, and playwright. The ‘Schiller’ deck was made by Conrad Ludwig Wüst (1811-1927), Frankfurt/Main, ca. 1834 to commemorate Schiller’s 75th birthday. Designed and copper engraved by J. Wulf, stencil coloured, 36 cards. The aces depict theatrical attributes, the court cards depict figures from different dramas by Schiller and the pip cards have vignettes of scenes from his most popular works. The King of Hearts is reminiscent of Schiller as a translator of Shakespeare.

Above: Schiller deck made by Conrad Ludwig Wüst, Frankfurt/Main, ca. 1834. The manufacturer's name can be read on the Eight of Hearts.   From the collection of Klaus-Jürgen Schultz (https://spielkarten-sammlung.de).

C. L. Wüst was eventually taken over by the Vereinigte Altenburger Stralsunder Spielkarten Fabriken AG (V.A.S.S.), Altenburg (1931-1945), who from time to time made use of the old designs and plates.   See also:   C.L. Wüst: Brazil Scenic Aces • Swiss Album Patience • Shakespearean Playing Cards • Germany Homepage

REFERENCES

Shaw, Martin & Symons, Paul: Playing cards from the factory C.L.Wüst, Frankfurt, Germany (1811-1927), Catalogue of the exhibition held at the Nationaal Museum van de Speelkaart, Turnhout, Belgium, 23 September-31 December 2005.

By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

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Curator and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.