Muller “Vues et Costumes Suisses“ Playing Cards, Hand Stenciled/Painted, w/ Antique Silverplate (?) Case, c.1878

Antiques : Playing Cards Switzerland : Muller "Vues, Costumes Suisses"

 

In 1891, Jean Muller of Schaffhouse, Switzerland produced a deck to commemorate the 6th centenary of the Swiss Republic, titled “Vues & Costumes Suisse.” It contains 52 cards with French suits. The Aces are one-sided views of Switzerland (on the horizontal) and the court cards are two-sided designs of persons in traditional Swiss dress, identified in the upper right corner by the flag/herald of the Swiss canton to which the costumes were indigenous. The cards are very unusual in that the backs of the cards have views of Switzerland; they are described and shown at Peter Endebrock’s wonderful website.

While the backs of this 1891 deck are an original feature, this1891 set of cards was not the first “Swiss canton/costume” deck. Swiss canton/costume decks (without scenery on the backs) were earlier made by German card makers C.L. Wust and Dondorf. Fournier reports an engraved and hand stenciled deck by Wust c.1870, and a Dondorf chromolithographed deck c.1877. [Fournier, Playing Cards, Switzerland 34, 41].

The Muller set of cards here for sale seems pretty clearly to be a predecessor of the 1891 Swiss deck. Like the early Wust and Dondorf decks, these cards have conventional backs, and like the Wust deck of 1870, this deck is engraved and hand stenciled/painted. However, while the designs of the Aces and court cards in the 1891 Muller deck are different than those in this set, the 1891 cards are clearly derived from these. There is mention on the World Web Playing Card Museum of a Muller “Vues and Costumes Suisses” deck from 1878, and while the back there shown is different, the faces of the 2 cards imaged are the same as this deck. On this basis, I have dated this set of cards to 1878. I can find no mention of them in the literature available to me.

The deck is complete at 36 cards – the traditional Swiss deck – consisting of Ace and 6 through King in each suit. The cards are slightly small, measuring 88mm x 56mm, with gold gilt at the corners.

The cards came to me in an antique metal case. The metal is very similar to that of 19th century silverplate (“nickel silver”) cribbage boards that I own. However, it has been polished to the point where the back of the case now looks more like brass. Whatever the exact material, the case is not fine, but it has character. I do not know if the case dates to the cards, although it was probably made in Europe, as it will not accommodate a 52-card deck.

On balance, the condition of the cards should probably be described as no better than good. There are no creases, tears, bends, etc. However, there is considerable soiling, front and back, and considerable edge wear; only 10%-15% of the gold gilt remains. The faces of all cards are shown to assist in evaluating condition.

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Item ID: T0000835