Celluloid Kasino-Poker Nr.92

In a previous post I have shown celluloid playing cards made by ReoRex of Vienna (https://www.wopc.co.uk/members/paul-symons/reo-rex-luxus-bild). This pack is also made of celluloid but was published by Mirakel-Spielkarten of Vienna, Austria between 1930 and 1934. A patent for these celluloid cards was registered by Siegfried Klausner at the Austrian Patent Office in 1928. The cards were published under the name of Mirakel-Spielkarten but were actually printed by the Elbemühl Papierfabrieken und Graphische Industrie A.G. in Vienna, as shown on the king of hearts. The company moved to Leipzig in 1934 and changed its name to Mirakel GmbH.

The English pattern court cards have a unique design and the large crowns on the kings and jacks are reminders of the Large Crown pattern often used on Austrian playing cards. The joker is quite special and shows a coloured portrait of Alfred Piccaver who was a renowned operatic tenor singer (1884-1958 Vienna). An extra card was included with the pack giving instructions on how to wash them. The pack has 52 cards, one joker and an extra card in a cardboard box.

Below: The Joker, extra card and box

Reference: Spielkartenhersteller in Deutschland zwischen den Weltkriegen, Jürgen Platz, 2021 (Studien zur Spielkarten Nr.47)

All cards shown are from the collection of Paul Symons ©