Playing cards in Russian style

Sketches of the cards were developed in 1911 by the artist of the German card factory Bernhard Dondorf (1809-1902) in Frankfurt am Main. The name of the master "was kept in strict confidence so that he would not get from the owner of the factory for working for a competitor." The figures of kings, ladies and jacks are made in the Russian style of the 17th century, the images of grand dukes and princesses, boyars, warriors of the royal court guard, shooters and falconers served as prototypes for them. On the aces, the emblems of shields surrounded by ancient Russian weapons and armor are made on the basis of drawings by the artist N. S. Samokish (1860-1944). The cards were first printed in St. Petersburg at the Card Factory at the Imperial Orphanage in 1912. Drawings on stones for printing images in 16 colors were developed by the best lithographer of the factory, Mr. Michael. The release of the cards was timed to coincide with the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty. The released deck made it possible to say that playing cards in a truly national spirit finally appeared in Russia.

Format 89x58 mm. Plastic coating. Edition 2021