| Suit System: | F |
| Recommended Name: | Latvian pattern. |
These designs were selected from a competition in 1923. The artist was Stefans Bercs. Some cards
show persons related tothe "Bear Slayer" saga written by the Latvian poet Andrejs Pumpurs,
with Lacplecis the bear hunter on J
.
Others show people wearing traditional Latvian costumes.
The cards became the most popular in Latvia until the end of World War II (before the second Soviet occupation).
In 1959 these cards were published again in Sweden. The design was revised by Normunds Hartmanis.
The publisher "Daugava" issued the pack for Latvians in exile. The issuer's name was placed
on A
, as is usual on Latvian cards.
There is a difference between the designs produced in Latvia and those made in Sweden.
All ornamental swastika signs on court ards and Aces in the Swedish version are
modified (on A,
J) or eliminated
(on K,
Q
,
Q
,
J). The jokers in the two packs are
also different.
In the Swedish version all cards have a frame; on Latvian cards only the court
cards have a frame. The ornaments on A
and A are similar in both versions. According
to a law the Latvian Red Cross had been receiving dividends from the production
and sale of playing-cards since 1922. Therefore a special sign and stamp were
placed on A.
During war time the Red Cross sign on A
was replaced by the logo
of Tautas palidziba (The Folk's Help), and in Sweden by the logo of Apgads Daugava
(Daugava Publishers). Daugava is the biggest river in Latvia.
King (Kungs), Queen (Dama), Jack (Sulainis) and Ace (Duzis) with numerals. In Latvia usually 52 cards + 1 Joker, or packs with less numerals: 10-6, or 10-7. In Sweden usually 52 + 2 identical Jokers.
In Latvia until the end of WW2:
Hermann Ussleber, c.1925;
Ernst Plates S.A. Lithography, c.1930;
Latvian Printing House of Bonds, c.1942;
P. Mantinieks' Institute of Cartography;
all in Riga.
In Sweden:
Öberg, Eskilstuna.
Ulrich Knüpfer: Vom Baltikum zum Balkan, Köln, 2004, pp. 32,33,37.
| A from a pack by Plates S.A., Riga, c.1935. |
| Top three rows: Ernst Plates S.A., Riga, c.1935; bottom three rows: Öberg, Eskilstuna, c.1960. |
| The International Playing-Card Society | 3/2007 JM |