Deutche Karten

Karl Gerich No.9: ‘Deutche Karten’

Deutche Karten is inspired by a variety of sources, mainly traditional German suited cards. The printing plate was first started in 1978, the first pack made in 1982 and the project was shelved in 1984 as too difficult to produce in 4 colours. It was then republished in 1990 by Victoria P.C.C. as shown in the cards illustrated here. The imagery in the cards includes single-ended standing, sitting or mounted figures, grotesque and fantastic creatures, and some charming vignettes at the bottoms of the numeral cards showing scenes from domestic life, folklore or mythology.

Above: Karl Gerich's ‘Deutche Karten’ playing cards No.9, inspired by a variety of sources, mainly German traditional cards including ‘Lemberger’, ‘Salzburg’ and ‘Saxon’ patterns. Printed from copperplate etching on one sheet of Daler Ford cover paper, pasted to a second (coloured) sheet, pressed, coloured and varnished. The complete pack has 32 cards + 1 extra card: 95mm x 46mm. Around three dozen packs are believed to have been made.

References:

♣ Tregear, Mike and Daphne, "Karl Gerich: Card Designer and Maker", privately published.

Copyright:

Copyright for all images remains the property of the Artist.