PATTERN SHEET 86

History

The (new) Bavarian pattern [IPCS #54], which was presumably designed c.1810 by Joseph Fetscher in Munich, was produced during the 19th century almost exclusively by card makers from Upper and Lower Bavaria. Card makers in Augsburg in Bavarian Swabia produced their own alternative pattern, recognized (with one exception) as made by Augsburg card makers. The tax stamps on the known examples confirm a production period from c.1860 to c.1905. As three Augsburg card makers produced the pattern in its final form around 1860 it is very probable that there was a common ancestral pattern. Being intended as a competitive product alongside the output of Munich card makers, an initial production date around 1820/30 seems prudent.

Adolf Hasenauer introduced the Bavarian-Swabian pattern to Munich when he moved his workshop there from Augsburg. The last known examples of the pattern from around 1905 were produced by him.

Characteristic features

The Bavarian-Swabian pattern can be regarded as a late form of the Old Bavarian pattern [IPCS #53]. With the exception of the Ober and Unter of Acorns all court cards are related to those of the Older Bavarian pattern. The Ober and Unter of Acorns have only one weapon, a sword, instead of the fine fencing weapons used before. The Ober keeps it in front of his breast, while the Unter is drawing his sword. They wear coarse boots with spurs like the Ober and Unter of Bells. The coat of the kings extends only down to the knees. They also wear coarse boots. Three of the crowns have a Christian cross, while that of the Turk on the King of Leaves is without decoration. A winged angel’s head can be seen behind the throne of the King of Bells. 14 out of the 16 pip cards depict deserted house or river landscapes, in the style of a set of toy bricks. On the Seven of Hearts a lion holds an escutcheon with a crown which usually bears an indication of the maker. The Eight of Hearts is the only card that is modified by the card makers: human figures are depicted (such as teachers and pupils, hunters, beggars, etc.). A similar variation of the Eight of Hearts can also be observed on the Bavarian Soldiers pattern [IPCS #79]. The suit signs show two more special features: The acorns end with a small ring or button, and the hearts in the upper rows are decorated with a flower.

Composition

36 cards: Deuce, King, Ober, Unter, and illustrated numerals 10 (X) to 6.

Some makers

Andreas Schuler, Augsburg;

Rudolph Diesel, Augsburg;

Johann Hofman, Augsburg;

Adolf Hasenauer, Augsburg and Munich;

Johann Conrad Jegel (Succ.), Nürnberg.

Some references

Manfred Hausler: Das Bayerische Bild, Studien zur Spielkarte Nr.4, Berlin, 1993;

Manfred Hausler: Das Bayerisch-Schwäbische Bild – Eine Spätform des Altbayerischen Bildes, in: Das Blatt, to be published.

Bavarian-Swabian Pattern

The International Playing-Card Society

3/2007 MH