Kriegs-Spiel by Peter Schencken, Amsterdam
Peter Schencken of Amsterdam copied the "Jeu de la Guerre" or "Das Kriegs-Spiel" (with German captions) originated by Gilles de La Boissière and published by Mariette in 1668 in Paris.
Das Kriegs-Spiel by Peter Schencken, Amsterdam, c.1670
Educational pack for the Art of War
Non-standard cards made in the Netherlands were notable principally for their educational, political, humorous and artistic characteristics. Peter Schencken of Amsterdam copied the "Jeu de la Guerre" or "Das Kriegs-Spiel" (with German captions) originated by Gilles de La Boissière (engraver) and first published by Mariette in 1668 in Paris. These games are usually found as uncut sheets suitable for some table game using dice, rather than a game of cards. Recorded as still being printed in the 18th century.

Above: uncut sheet printed from finely engraved copper plates by Peter Schencken, Amsterdam, c.1670.

By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
View ArticlesCurator and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.