Miniature Theatre playing cards
Miniature playing cards, possibly for children, with a romantic theatrical theme. C.L. Wüst c.1890.
This wonderful miniature pack of cards, size 35 x 24 mm, was produced by C.L.Wüst of Frankfurt, Germany in about 1890. The aces seem to have a theatrical theme although it is not known if there is a connection to any particular theatrical production. The courts depict figures in historical costumes in a historic setting. The cards are finely printed in colour lithography on quite thin card. The 52 cards have a plain light blue back and came housed in a beautifully constructed straw work box in the form of a miniature book. The pack was possibly made for children or for use in a doll’s house. The maker’s name is clearly printed on the 4 of spades.
A somewhat similar miniature pack of cards of lesser quality, possibly German, is also known and can been seen on another page►
Below: the straw work box which came with cards.
References : Playing Cards from the factory of C.L.Wüst, Symons/Shaw 2005. Set 37
C.L.Wüst, K.J.Schultz (private printing) 2021. Nr.42
All cards shown are from the collection of Paul Symons ©
By Paul Symons
Netherlands • Member since February 01, 2016
I'm British but I have now lived in the Netherlands for more than 50 years and am still enjoying every minute of it. I started collecting playing cards in the early 1980’s after speaking with my neighbour who was at that time a croupier in a casino. I started with just collecting jokers, but that soon led me to complete packs of cards and eventually to specialising in old and antique playing cards, particularly those of C.L. Wüst of Frankfurt, Germany. I am presently the Dutch representative of the I.P.C.S. and the auctioneer at the IPCS conventions.
Activity for Miniature Theatre playing cards
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
The Modern Württemberg Pattern
Early 2000s modernization based on designs from 1865 and 1926.
Crimean War Deck
1854 saw the declaration of the Crimean War and this deck was published by Wüst around, or shortly a...
South American Costumes
Costumes of people of Brazil, Peru and Mexico, with views of Rio de Janeiro on the aces.
Grimaud copy of Wüst playing cards
A copy of Wüst house pattern 3
Goodall’s modernised Wüst House pattern playing cards
A remodelled version of the first Wüst house pattern.
Wüst Costumes Suisses No.93
Two version of a Swiss souvenir pack by C.L.Wúst
Renaissance Playing cards made by C.L.Wüst
Rococo style playing cards from Frankfurt.
Decorated pip cards from C.L.Wüst
Several Wüst patience packs with special pip cards
My Fair Lady
Theatre programme in the form of a pack of cards. East Germany, c.1967.
A miniature theatrical pack of playing cards, Germany? c.1900
This miniature pack is very similar to one made by C.L.Wúst in c.1890.
Panto People
Panto People published by E. S. & A. Robinson, c.1930s.
Wüst Lenormand deck, c.1860
Wüst Lenormand deck, c.1860
Hansa-Karte
Bechstein design reprinted by Vereinigte Stralsunder Spielkartenfabriken AG former Schneider & Co., ...
C.L. Wüst, 1811 - 1927
SPIELKARTENFABRIEK VON C.L. WÜST, 1811 - 1927. A short history of the Wüst factory by Martin Shaw & ...
Nationaal Speelkaart Nº 165
Wüst: Nationaal Speelkaart Nº 165 issued for the Dutch market
Wüst “Encyclopedic Tarot”
“Encyclopedic Tarot” by C. L. Wüst with “bourgeois” views of life on the Trumps.
Swiss Costumes
Wüst's Swiss Cantons souvenir deck was published in Frankfurt in c.1875 for the emerging tourist mar...
Wüst Oval Patience
C. L. Wüst Oval Patience Karten No. 240, beautifully printed by chromolithography, c.1910.
Schiller deck
Schiller deck made by Conrad Ludwig Wüst, Frankfurt/Main, ca. 1834.
Swiss Album patience
Swiss Album patience cards by C. L. Wüst (Frankfurt), c.1900, with a different landscape on the reve...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
