Russian “Historical” playing cards  ( 1897 )

Russian “Historical” playing cards with designs by Nikolay Karazin depicting national imagery on the courts and aces. This is the first edition of 1897, in which the Jack of Clubs is a soldier. In the second edition (1898) the Jack of Clubs is a peaceful farmer  see comparison here→

The emblem on the box depicts a pelican nurturing its young.
(This also appears on the tax stamp on the ace of diamonds).

Nikolay Nikolaevich Karazin (1842-1908) was a Russian military officer, painter and writer. He is mostly known for his paintings depicting wars and exotic places. He is the creator of the Russian art postcard  wikipedia →

Above: Russian “Historical” playing cards with designs by Nikolay Karazin, first edition, manufactured at The Imperial Orphanage Printing Plant, 1897. 52 high quality cards, 60x90 mm. Images courtesy Valentin Krasavin (Валентин Красавин).