Czech National Patterns by S.D. Modiano

Today we perceive the Modiano brand as one of the main Italian card manufacturers. The company is proud of its recognition as a Historical trademark of national interest in Italy. However, at the beginning of the 20th century, the company S.D. Modiano tried to establish itself as one of the main card manufacturers in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, to which the city of Trieste belonged at that time. At that time it also produced cards with Czech national designs.

One such design is the Prague Trappola pattern, a standard part of the range of Czech and also large Viennese card companies. Modiano Trappola cards are double-ended, in a clean graphic design, measuring 59 x 111 mm. The pack traditionally contains pip card values 1, 2, 7 - 10 and court cards of jack, knight and king in the Italian suits of coins, cups, clubs and swords. Identification of the manufacturer S.D. Modiano is found on the Ace of Batons and the Ten of Coins, where the original trademark is also visible. The feint tax stamp on the Ten of Coins was used during 1900-1920. The reverse has a pattern known as wienerbitz (Viennese lightning) - a later development. The Knight of Cups contains an interesting anomaly : it is the only one to be divided with a horizontal line.

Above: the Prague Trappola pattern pack by S.D. Modiano, c.1920.

Probably around this time Modiano also offered cards with the Prague pattern. The result in three colours is simpler than in the case of the Trappola cards. I assume they were intended mainly for sale in Bohemia - another part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. I doubt that this deck could have found greater use elsewhere.

The design corresponds to the usual contemporary versions of this pattern found in the production of other manufacturers. In the coats of arms of the Aces of Bells and Acorns we see a heraldic figure referring to the emblem of the empire - a double-headed eagle. On Prague pattern decks created after World War I, they are often replaced by other heraldic figures (compare, for example, Prager Pattern by Bratří Willnerové) - the patriotic demands of players in the newly independent Czechoslovakia are taken into account. The solution of heart pip cards in different colours disappeared over time and today are commonly in one colour. Similarly, the colour differentiation of the Seven and Nine of Leaves is also made - the upper leaves are half yellow. This solution was a minority and disappeared at the beginning of the 20th century.

Above: the Prague pattern pack by S.D. Modiano, c.1920s

The cards measure 62 x 101 mm, the manufacturer's identification is visible on the Aces of hearts and acorns. The Eight of Bells was not preserved in my deck. Thus, a card is missing that should traditionally contain a trademark, but also a tax stamp. The reverse side with the popular wienerblitz pattern uses only the black layer of print - compare with the Trappola above.

Reference

IPCS pattern sheet 42 : Prague Trappola►