Swiss Regional Costumes Playing Cards, c.1890
This Swiss Regional Costume pack can be seen as an early form of tourist souvenir which subsequently developed into the photographic souvenir pack.
Regional Costumes Playing Cards with scenic Aces, made by Müller, c.1890. The local costumes are different at each end. Müller's recent investments in updated machinery were paying off and the company was now able to commence the export of playing cards to foreign markets.
Packs with conventional courts and scenic aces were already being produced by card makers in Belgium, Austria, Holland and France for the new trend in tourism. The Aces would depict geographical or historical scenes and picturesque views. This Swiss Regional Costume pack also features colourful regional dress and canton shields and can be seen as an early form of tourist souvenir which evolved into the souvenir packs we see today.
Note from Roddy Somerville
Each of the backs of these cards features a different souvenir view of a named tourist destination within an oval frame. The style is very similar to that used on Wüst's Swiss Album patience cards. All the views are listed in alphabetical order on an extra card which has a plain back. The box is also remarkably similar to the one housing the Wüst pack, having the arms of the Swiss cantons on one side and a romantic pastoral view on the other - RS.
Above: Swiss Regional Costumes Playing Cards manufactured by Müller, c.1890.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
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.
Activity for Swiss Regional Costumes Playing Cards, c.1890
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Swiss Scenic Tarock
Scenic Tarock deck produced by Fabrique de Cartes J. Müller & Cie (Schaffhouse), Suisse.
Swiss Souvenir
55 different scenic photographic views of Switzerland.
Views of Ireland
Selected views of Ireland Souvenir playing cards published by the Irish Tourist Association, 1950s
La Suisse Historique Swiss Cantons souvenir
A masterpiece in the genre of tourist souvenir decks, “La Suisse Historique” Swiss Cantons souvenir ...
Animal Tarot
Woodblock and stencil Animal Tarot cards, probably of Swiss origin, 2nd half 18th century.
Irish Souvenir
Irish souvenir playing cards. The Joker has the inscription W.O., Dublin.
Souvenir of Mexico
Souvenir of Mexico playing cards by Clemente Jacques y Cia, S.A., 1950s.
Brazil Scenic Aces
C. L. Wüst Scenic Aces for Brazil.
Swiss Album patience
Swiss Album patience cards by C. L. Wüst (Frankfurt), c.1900, with a different landscape on the reve...
Souvenir Playing Cards
Tourist souvenir playing cards depict the aesthetic, political, social and economic conceptions of t...
Swiss Playing Cards
The Swiss national suit system of shields, acorns, hawk bells and flowers emerged sometime during th...
Souvenir Playing Cards
Argentina publishes many tourist souvenir packs, usually with colour pictures on each card, and with...
Swiss French Suited Playing Cards, c.1840
French-suited playing-cards in the Paris pattern appeared in Switzerland around the end of the sixte...
Swiss Scenic Ace Souvenir Cards, c.1850
Souvenir pack with Scenic Aces made by Müller (Diessenhofen), c.1850.
Swiss Mogul Cards, 1880-1890
English type 'Mogul' playing cards manufactured in Switzerland by John Müller for export to India, c...
Müller (Diessenhofen), c.1840-50.
Playing Cards made by J. Müller, Diessenhofen, c.1840-50 with court cards coloured differently ...
Swiss Piquet Playing Cards, c.1850-60
Piquet playing-cards made by J. Müller, Diessenhofen, c.1850-60. The full-length court cards are fol...
Swiss Spanish-Suited Cards, c.1875
Spanish-suited playing cards manufactured by J. Müller for export to Latin American countries, c.187...
Swiss Scenic Ace Souvenir Cards, c.1860
Souvenir pack with Scenic Aces made by J. Müller (Diessenhofen), c.1860. The courts are conventional...
Naipe Peruano
Peruvian costumes playing cards.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
-playing-cards-with-wüst-courts/images/rijks-1.465ba2b2.jpg "Oude Kunst (Old Art) playing cards with Wüst courts")
