Sommer & Seupke German Playing Cards, circa 1840s

Item — Box: 2, item: 2

Scope and Contents

Unsealed. No casing. No date included in original paperwork. Date inferred based on stamps on one of the face cards. Originally spelled in paperwork "Summer & Saupke"

Dimensions: 2" x 3.32"

Quantity: 32

Original inventory number: 19

Dates

Creation: circa 1840s

Conditions Governing Access

Advanced notice required for access.

Biographical / Historical

This is an original German-suited playing deck complete with 32 playing cards with suits of acorns, leaves, hearts, and bells. The German suit system is one of the oldest, becoming popular around 1450 and influencing the typical French suits of hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs a few decades later. German-suited packs originally had 4 court cards per suit (King, Queen, Ober and Unter) but the queen was dropped in the early 16th century. There are many different patterns and styles to German-suited decks based on the area they were produced; this deck is in the Bohemian pattern which is non-reversible and lacks corner indices. It is descended from the Old Bavarian pack (one of the oldest German-suited packs).

Full Extent

From the Collection: 2 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Physical Description

Cards are hand-painted, court cards depicted the king, under knave, and over knave, and pip cards depicting small scenes of rural life. The backs of the cards are tie-dyed in pattern.