Peterhof souvenir playing cards
Peterhof souvenir playing cards (Petergof suvenirnye igral’nye karty) published by Mednyi Vsadnik (Bronze Horseman), St. Petersburg.
This pack consists of 54 card with photographic illustrations of the Peterhof Palace. It was published by Mednyi Vsadnik (Bronze Horseman), St. Petersburg. No date is given either on the pack itself or in the publisher's catalogue (www.mvsadnik.ru).
Peterhof was founded by Peter the Great initially as an imperial summer residence after the victory over the Swedes at Poltava. However, following a visit to the French royal court in 1717 he expanded it -- so inspiring the nickname of the "Russian Versailles". The main attractions are the Grand Palace itself with magnificent interiors, the Upper Garden, placed on the terrace in front of the south facade of the Grand Palace, and the Grand Cascade with numerous golden statues and fountains.
By Peter Burnett
Member since July 27, 2022
I graduated in Russian and East European Studies from Birmingham University in 1969. It was as an undergraduate in Moscow in 1968 that I stumbled upon my first 3 packs of “unusual” playing cards which fired my curiosity and thence my life-long interest. I began researching and collecting cards in the early 1970s, since when I’ve acquired over 3,330 packs of non-standard cards, mainly from North America, UK and Western Europe, and of course from Russia and the former communist countries.
Following my retirement from the Bodleian Library in Dec. 2007 I took up a new role as Head of Library Development at the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) to support library development in low-income countries. This work necessitated regular training visits to many sub-Saharan African countries and also further afield, to Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh – all of which provided rich opportunities to further expand my playing card collection.
Since 2019 I’ve been working part-time in the Bodleian Library where I’ve been cataloguing the bequest of the late Donald Welsh, founder of the English Playing Card Society.
Related Articles
Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds
A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
Scenic Views of Australia
54 different scenic views of Australia in full colour.
Monuments de Paris
‘Monuments de Paris’ souvenir playing cards produced by Heraclio Fournier, c.1964.
Wedding of Krechinsky • Свадьба Кречинского
A pack of cards depicting characters from the famous play "The Wedding of Krechinsky" by Sukhovo-Kob...
Borna Skat
Publicity pack for the Saxon town of Borna, with designs by Andreas Wachter.
Marlow playing cards
Visitor attractions and businesses to be found in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
Russian folk art playing cards
Russian folk art playing cards produced by Natalia Silva, USA, 2017.
Swiss Scenic Tarock
Scenic Tarock deck produced by Fabrique de Cartes J. Müller & Cie (Schaffhouse), Suisse.
Branle playing cards
‘Branle’ playing cards inspired by a 12th-century dance, produced by Noir Arts, USA, 2015.
Papyrus Playing Cards
Papyrus playing cards distributed by Egypt Trade, c.1996.
British Columbia Souvenir
British Columbia Souvenir Playing Cards by The Clarke and Stuart Company
American President Lines
American President Lines shipping souvenir playing cards, early to mid-1950s.
Official World’s Fair Souvenir, USA, 1964-6
Official souvenir pack showing 52 coloured exhibits from the New York World’s Fair, 1964-6.
Century of Progress
‘Century of Progress’ Exposition playing cards produced by Western Playing Card Company, USA, 1933. ...
Schweden Spielkarten
54 different souvenir views of famous people and places in Sweden.
Souvenir Playing Cards from Lebanon
Multicoloured Belgian/Genoese pattern cards, probably printed by Fournier for Lebanon.
New York City souvenir
New York City souvenir playing cards with 53 different views of interest, USA, 1915.
Nation’s capital souvenir playing cards
Nation’s capital souvenir playing cards published by the United States Playing Card Company, USA, 19...
Kyoto Souvenir Deck
Kyoto Souvenir playing cards by Nintendo aimed at the up and coming tourist industry, 1950s.
California souvenir playing cards
California souvenir playing cards, USA, 1898 and 1907.
Shamrock Irish Heritage playing cards
A celebration of some of Ireland’s most famous patriots, politicians and poets.
Henley-on-Thames playing cards
Calendar events and visitor attractions to be found in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
Souvenir Playing Cards of Egypt
55 different photographic views of Egypt in full colour.
Kushimoto Marine Park
Kushimoto Marine Park souvenir playing cards published by Nintendo, Japan.
Alaska scenic playing cards
Alaska scenic playing cards featuring scenes of Alaskan life, USA, c. 1960.
Glorious Scotland
54 photographic views of Scotland by Duncan I. McEwan.
Vues et Caractères Suisses No.228
A Swiss souvenir pack by Dondorf
Budapest souvenir
Colour views of the Hungarian capital, Budapest, on all the courts and Aces.
Pan-American Exposition Souvenir
Pan-American Exposition Souvenir Playing Cards, Buffalo, NY, 1901.
Amusements and Attractions
‘Amusements and Attractions’ playing cards showing the fun and excitement of America’s amusement par...
Das Tübinger Skatspiel
Pack devised by Volker Scheub depicting characters associated with the city of Tübingen.
Theatre of Pain / Teatr Boli
Theatre of Pain / Teatr boli playing cards depicting politicians and leaders in the Caucasus territo...
Conseil Général de la Somme
Famous people and places of the Somme department in northern France, with designs by James Hodges.
Naipes Expo ’92
Naipes Expo ’92 souvenir playing cards manufactured by Naipes Comas, 1992.
Gaudí playing cards
Gaudí playing cards with photography by Ramon Manent, Spain, 2002.
CCCP playing cards
Soviet and other Communist celebrities depicted on every card, designed by Vladislav Pankevitch.
Oxford Pubs playing cards
Oxford pubs souvenir playing cards, United Kingdom, 2008
Swiss Souvenir
55 different scenic photographic views of Switzerland.
Icelandic picture playing cards / Islensku landslagsspilin
Icelandic picture playing cards with photography by Gudmundur Ingólfsson.
Russian criminal tattoos and playing cards
Russian criminal tattoos and playing cards, United Kingdom, 2018.
Vues de Monaco-Monte Carlo
Souvenir pack with 54 different views of Monaco, especially Monte Carlo.