Bohemian pattern by Bonaparte
Standard Bohemian pattern designs by Bonaparte, Plzeň, Czech Republic, c.2000.
It must be difficult for any new manufacturer of playing cards to create their own version of a standard pattern which is acceptable to serious card players and which does not copy too closely the designs by established manufacturers such as Piatnik or OTK. The Czech company Bonaparte (established 1993) has achieved this with some minor changes to the traditional designs, e.g., the prancing horse on the 9 of Bells is now at a standstill, the elephant’s trunk on the 8 of Leaves has been shortened and lowered, Cupid’s arrow strikes a heart affixed to an arch and not to a pole on the 10 of Hearts, etc. The manufacturer’s logo (a half-length drawing of Napoleon Bonaparte) appears on the box, the 8 of Bells (together with a barcode) and also in the centre of the back design. See the box►
Above: Standard Bohemian pattern printed by Bonaparte, Plzeň, Czech Republic, c.2000. 32 cards + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 60.5 x 100 mm. The extra card has text in Slovak on one side and Czech on the other. The back pattern is reminiscent of an old OTK design.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Related Articles
Antracit Prager Single-headed
A simple modern adaptation of a historical pattern.
Prager Pattern by Bratří Willnerové, Teplice
Traditional single-ended Prager pattern by Willner Brothers from northern Bohemia.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Pack featuring six images from the Disney film of the same name, on cards made for Eastern Europe.
Winnie the Pooh Rummy
Disney’s Winnie the Pooh and friends on a pack made for Eastern Europe.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Characters and scenes from the Disney film of the same name, on a pack made for Eastern Europe.
Disney Princess
Featuring Disney Princesses and Enchanting Tales in two sizes of pack made for Eastern Europe.
Mickey Mouse Rummy
Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and other Disney characters on a pack made for Eastern Europe.
Standard Swiss-German pattern (single-ended)
20th century version of a single-ended Swiss-German pattern pack for the game of Jass.
Bohemia Moravia
Historical figures from Bohemia and Moravia in Piatnik’s traditional style.
Golden Boys
Players from the 1998 Czech Olympic ice hockey team with photography by Jiří Koliš.
English pattern from Nigeria
A standard pack from the most populous country in Africa.
Trappola cards from Prague
15 Trappola playing cards possibly made by Johann Ziser of Prague, c1760.
English pattern by Bielefelder Spielkarten
Standard designs by Bielefelder Spielkarten GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany, c1966.
150 Years of Czechoslovakian Railways
Czech trains and railwayana from 1839 to 1989, made by Obchodní Tiskárny, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Bonaparte Bridge
Colourful international designs produced by Bonaparte, Plzeň, Czech Republic, c.2000.
The Simpsons™ (Czech version)
Non-standard Bohemian cards featuring The Simpsons made for EFKO, Czech Republic, 2014.
Waddington’s “Silkette” Playing Cards
Cards made by John Waddington Ltd. for the Madras Club, Chennai (formerly Madras), India, c.1930.
Jeu de 54 cartes
Jeu de 54 cartes, completely anonymous, designed to resemble locally produced French packs.
London Bridge NR.18
A brand name used in Norway over a number of years.
Naipe de Bridge
Standard English pattern pack made in Ecuador, c.1970.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
