Russian “Historical”

Russian “Historical extra fine No.204”

This very famous Russian deck depicting four ancient dynasties was published in several editions in the 1920s, all printed by chromolithography in St. Petersburg (Leningrad in USSR) by the Colour Printing Plant. This edition was produced for export and has non-Russian indices.

After the USSR ended several small firms started to print playing cards, including re-prints of this deck (see further below).

Right: the back design, red or blue. The complete pack contains 52 cards + Joker. The box has the title “Historical extra fine No.204”. A later edition was published without frames as “No.202”. The artist's name is not known. Information kindly provided by Alexander Arinushkina (Александр Аринушкин).

Supplement from Lev Golinkin

The original Soviet cards had plain pip cards. Illustrations were added some time between the 1920s and 1989. The cards shown below are from a cheap post-Soviet knock-off made by Ningbo Three A Group Co., Ltd. The pack is called AAA No.9933. However, it shows the amazing pip card illustrations that have become part of this deck.

Above: AAA No.9933 reprint by Ningbo Three A Group Co Ltd with pip card illustrations that have become part of this deck. Extra images and research courtesy Lev Golinkin.

These have been carefully researched – at least some of the artwork matches that from ancient civilizations. For example, the Two of Hearts is Triptolemus, the Greek demigod and patron of agriculture. The card illustration closely resembles Triptolemus images such as this one from 470 BC–460BC.

Or compare the sphinx from the Seven of Hearts to this kylix from c.460 BC. Lastly, see how the Four of Spades echoes the magnificent bas-relief of the Assyrian god Ninurta battling the monster Anzu, from the temple of Ninurta in Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), Iraq.