Müller (Diessenhofen), c.1840-50.

Published July 03, 1996 Updated June 12, 2023

Playing Cards made by J. Müller, Diessenhofen, c.1840-50 with court cards coloured differently at each end.

1850 SwitzerlandJ. MüllerParis Pattern

Playing Cards made by Müller, Diessenhofen, c.1840-50.

Playing Cards made by J. Müller, Diessenhofen, c.1840-50. The court cards, which have been coloured differently at each end, are a regional variation of the French “portrait officiel” which had become fashionable.

Playing Cards made by J. Müller, Diessenhofen, c.1840-50

Above: playing Cards made by J. Müller, Diessenhofen, c.1840-50

Very similar playing cards made by Antoine Dieudonné, Luxembourg c.1850

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By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.

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