The Game of the Gods

Norse mythology provides us with a plethora of gods and goddesses. In this pack you will find the obvious ones – Odin (KC), Thor (KD), Loki (KS), Freya (QH) – as well as some lesser-known ones. All are depicted in a somewhat primitive yet effective manner and in simple colours (red, black and gold only) by the two designers, Barbro Gustafsson and Inga Lundström. Each has an accompanying description in English, as do the aces which are used to identify the symbols that replace the pips everywhere other than in the corners of each card. These symbols represent the Midgard serpent (S), the ship of Freyr, Skidbladnir (H), the eight-legged horse of Odin, Sleipnir (C), and the hammer of Thor, Mjollnir (D). The maker’s name can be found on the Ace of Hearts. On the back, in black on gold, are an unidentified human couple (possibly Lif and Lifthrasir, the only two beings who will survive at Ragnarok, the destruction of the world) and the name of the archaeological museum in Stavanger for which this pack was made.  See the box

Above: The Game of the Gods playing cards made by Esselte Öbergs AB, Eskilstuna, Sweden, for the Arkeologisk Museum, Stavanger, Norway, 1991. 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 56 x 86.5 mm. © Barbro Gustafsson and Inga Lundström

Another edition of this pack has all the text in Norwegian.