Four Races
“Four Races” playing cards designed by Latvian artist Vilnis Rasa in 1989.
“Four Races” playing cards were designed by Latvian artist Vilnis Rasa in 1989, published by Jānis Mētra as “Latvijas Pasjansa” (Latvian Patience) and printed in Lithuania by Albinas Borisevicius at his “Orija” colour digital printing works in 2007. Re-printed as “Nensijas” in 2015. The suits are hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds, total 32 cards + 2 jokers + 2 extra cards.
Above: “Four Races” playing cards designed by Vilnis Rasa in 1989, re-published by Jānis Mētra and printed by “Orija”, Lithuania, 2015. Images courtesy Jānis Mētra.
Jānis wrote: “Nensijas (Nancy) is a nickname for my younger sister Anna. She also is a good artist and I at first I had hoped that she would draw the cards, but for a long time she did nothing so I gave the idea to Vilnis Rasa, an artist from Kuldiga, and he drew them quickly.”
See complete deck here►
By Albinas Borisevičius
Lithuania • Member since July 01, 2010
I have been collecting cards since 1968, of course, then there were no contacts with world collectors, so my collection was very small. It was only in 1991, when Lithuania declared its independence, that it was possible to have contact with the world. It was a great honor for me to attend the IPCS convention in Munich, where I found many friends-colleagues. I managed to make an agreement with the Viennese card factory to print the ancient cards of Lithuania (PILYS).
My area of collecting - classic mirror-type cards and tourist cards - with images of cities, countries, photos. Also topics Sherlock Holmes, Alexander Dumas, Discover, Chess, Basketball, postage stamps on the cards. Since I am already 75 years old, I don't work, so I can't buy old cards (I really like classic cards from the 1920-1950 period). But my opinion is that it is better to have a card copy than nothing, so I will print one set of cards in Vilnius for my collection. Of course, if anyone wants, I can print it for them too. You can see my printed cards here: Lithuania - Orija.
I have published one book in Lithuania about cards and card games (in Lithuanian, about 400 pages): Albinas Borisevicius. Pirmasis padalijimas (The first deal)
Activity for Four Races
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Sandia Casino American Indian playing cards
Pueblo culture displayed on casino cards.
Latvian Mythological Cards ~ Latju Mītoloģiskās Kārtis
A loving and well-researched celebration of Latvian mythology and culture based around the four seas...
Ubo cards
Traditional Ubo cards from the Philippines made from tree bark.
Race Card
‘Race Card’ playing cards published by the Concept Card Co., New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Traditional Nomadic Life of Mongolia
Playing cards depicting paintings of Traditional Nomadic Life of Mongolia.
San Playing Cards
Rock paintings and engravings of the San people, better known as the “Bushmen”.
Happy Playing Cards
Cheerful, colourful designs on handmade paper from Nepal.
Estonian Ethnographic Playing Cards
Estonian national costumes and everyday items feature on this pack made in Estonia.
Ganjifa™ - Indo-French ganjifa by Asha Industries
A colourful pack of round cards with Ganjifa designs by Asha Industries, Mumbai, India, 2002.
Tonalamatl
Baraja Tonalamatl Mexican Aztec playing cards based on the prehispanic Codex Borgia manuscript.
Banana Leaf Cards
English Standard pack hand drawn & coloured on banana leaf, c.1820.
Gaucho Naipes
‘Gaucho’ Spanish-suited deck, anonymous manufacturer, made in Argentina, 2001.
Iceland Mythological Playing Cards
Iceland Mythological Playing Cards designed by Sigurlinna Pétursson, 1958
Maori
Maori themed playing cards from New Zealand depicting Maori Kings, Queens and Chiefs
Indo-French Ganjifa Playing Cards
Handmade Ganjifa-style playing cards from India, combining Indian imagery with French suits and Indi...
Orija Nr.20
Reprint of “Lettische Trachten” deck first published in Latvia in 1918.
Lithuanian
Lithuanian Playing Cards, reprinted by Piatnik, 1995, 2004.
Istorinės
Istorinės Historical Deck from Lithuania manufactured by Spindulys Playing Card Manufactory, Kaunas,...
Mongolian Playing Cards
Mongolian Playing Cards.
Frozen Court - The Aethiopic Rendering
A deck made specifically for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first African-american college fr...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
