Double Deck Speelkaarten Fabriek Nederland “Maritime” Playing Cards, c.1938

Collectibles : Playing Cards Maritime : Speelkaarten Nederland "Maritime"

 

Exceptional double deck of “Maritime” cards made by Speelkaarten Fabriek Nederland c.1938, featuring the original designs of J. Verhoeven. The Aces are double ended but with different illustrations at either end; at one end are ships from the 17th and 18th centuries, and at the other end are ships from the 1930s, including the then flagship of the Holland America line, the SS Nieuw Amsterdam. The double ended court cards have the same illustration at either end. The Kings and Jacks depict different maritime professions, and the Queens appear to depict women connected to ocean exploration and travel, including ornamentation that would typically appear at the bows of the ships.

Each deck has 52 cards, plus 1 Joker, plus an insert card in Dutch with contract bridge scoring. The cards are bridge size, measuring 88mm x 59mm, on stock that appears to be lightly finished but not plastic finished. The cards are in the original box, featuring images of ships and the word “Bridge.”

The cards are in pristine, “as new” condition, except that there is foxing to the insert cards in each deck transferred from the compartments on the inside of the box, and noticeable ink transfer or smudging to the Jack of Spades in the deck with bluish backs (separately pictured with one of the insert cards). The box is in very good condition; the top lid is split along two of the corners, and there are mild signs of wear to the lid, but it is otherwise structurally sound with bright graphics on the lid.

Reference: Fournier, Playing Cards, Holland 40.

Thanks for visiting.

Item ID: T0000975