Lettische Patience

Karl Gerich No.34: ‘Lettische Patience’, 1994

Karl enjoyed playing-cards as a child, having seen different designs from ltaly, Yugoslavia and Spain. Later he also enjoyed experimenting with design and production of playing cards. “Lettische Patience No.34” is inspired by “Latvian Red Cross Cards No.7” designed by Alfreds Scwedrevitz and published in 1936 to commemorate the emergence of Latvia as an independent country. Karl's new, patience-sized version was published in 1994 as a 32-card pack with one joker. The double-ended courts are, by Gerich's standards, plain with simple costume designs based on the designs of Alfreds Scwedrevitz. The joker shows a crouching satyr which is Karl's own design. There is also an extra title card with Karl's 'Moon/Star' motif, plus a card for the box top.

Above: cards from Karl Gerich's ‘Lettische Patience’ playing cards No.34 inspired by Latvian Red Cross Cards No.7. Total production is around 20 packs. Cards measure 36mm x 55mm.

References:

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

Copyright:

Copyright for all images remains the property of the Artist.