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PATTERN SHEET 98

Suit System:	G
Recommended name:	Württemberg pattern

History

About 1865 a new pattern with German suit signs was developed by C. L. Wüst, in Frankfurt, using pictorial elements from other packs of playing cards marketed by Wüst at that time. First the packs were simply named “Deutsche Karte”, and had 36 cards. They were exported to several German States (e.g. Bavaria and Hamburg; Germany had not been united at that time). Up to the turn of the century this pattern was very popular in the Kingdom of Württemberg as it was used to play the games “Gaigel” and “Binokel” which were the national games of that area. So the composition of the packs changed from 36 to 24 cards because “Gaigel” and “Binokel” are played with two packs of 24 cards. After becoming such a success this pattern has been copied by several other manufacturers. It has even been reproduced in the USA for German emigrants. The Württemberg pattern is still in use today.

Characteristic features

In contrast to most of the standard patterns with German suit signs the Württemberg pattern exists double-headed only. Daus-cards: Two diagonal suit signs i the corners, symbols of food and drink in the middle: A stock pot on Acorns, a wine glass and lying bottles on Leaves, standing bottles on Hearts and a single wine glass on Bells. Kings: crowned bearded long-haired men with attributes of the XP-patterns: shield and sceptre on Acorns, lyre and sceptre on Leaves, orb and sceptre on Hearts and sceptre only on Bells. Ober: The main feature of the Obers is that they are mounted. Unter: The Unters are travelling journeyman with big hats.

Composition

36 cards: Daus, King, Ober, Unter, X to VI; 24 cards: Daus, King, Ober, Unter, X and VII.

Some makers

C.L.Wüst, Frankfurt; Adolf Hasenauer, Augsburg; Russel & Morgan PTG. Co, Cinncinnati; Altenburger Spielkartenfabrik Schneider & Co, Altenburg; Frommann & Morian, Darmstadt; F.X.Schmid, München; Joh. Peter Bürgers, Köln; F.A. Lattmann, Goslar; VSS AG, Abt. Altenburg; Flemming- Wiskott A.-G., Glogau; Dondorf, Frankfurt; Deutsche Spielkartenfabrik, München; VASS AG, Altenburg; Treff Josef Kliegl & Co, Mainz; Speelkartenfabriek Nederland, Amsterdam; Ariston, Detmold; Casino GmbH, Stuttgart; Bielefelder Spielkarten; Balinger Spielkarten GmbH; VASS AG, Leinfelden; Neue Nürnberger Spielkarten; Berliner Spielkarten GmbH; Pelikan, Hannover; Heraclio Fournier, Vitoria; ASS Spielkartenverlag, Steinenbronn; Carta Mundi, Turnhout; Ferd. Piatnik & Söhne, Wien; Walcher Spielkarten, Heidenheim; Spielkartenfabrik Altenburg GmbH.

Some references

Stolzenburg, Kay: Das Württembergische Bild, Studien zur Spielkarte Nr. 21, Wehrheim 2010; Mann, Sylvia: All Cards on the Table, Leinfelden-Echterdingen und Marburg 1990, p. 62f; Janssen, Han: de geschiedenis van de Speelkaart, Rijswijk 1985, p. 71; Wowk, Kathleen: Playing Cards of the World, Guildford Surrey 1983, p. 50; Beal, George: Playing Cards and their Story, London 1975, p. 34.

Württemberg pattern

Top four rows: Württemberg pattern, first Version, C.L. Wüst, Frankfurt, c.1865; Bottom row: Variant Obers of a modern Version, Neue Nürnberger Spielkarten, c. 1965.

The International Playing-Card Society 01/2013 KST

For comments please contact the Pattern Sheet Editor: Kay Stolzenburg (pattern-sheets@i-p-c-s.org)

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This page is maintained by John McLeod (webmaster@i-p-c-s.org) and Kay Stolzenburg (pattern-sheets@i-p-c-s.org).
Last updated 29 september 2005