B. Dondorf, Frankfurt a. M.
This high-quality Patience deck dates to the 1900s and was produced by the renowned Frankfurt playing card manufacturer B. Dondorf. Around the turn of the century, Dondorf ranked among the leading producers of finely crafted patience and solitaire games.
The series Patience Cards No. 189 with the motif “Swiss Costumes” exemplifies the refined chromolithography, high material standards, and cultivated card culture of this period.
Manufacturer: B. Dondorf, Frankfurt am Main
Series: Patience Cards No. 189
Motif: Swiss traditional costumes, folkloric figures
Decade: 1900s
Card type: Patience / Solitaire deck
Suit system: French suits, double-ended courts
Printing: fine chromolithography of the turn of the century
Back design: decorative edelweiss motif on a rosé background
Gilt edges: original all-round gilt, slightly matt due to age
Card size: approx. 65 × 43 mm (typical patience format)
Complete deck, evenly aged patina
Original patience tuck box present
Marked: “Patience-Karten Nr. 189”
Material: thin, leather-paper-like cardboard stock
Tuck box rubbed, structurally stable, with contemporary annotations
Historical signs of use consistent with age, supporting authenticity and provenance
Accompanying booklet
Original example and instruction booklet included
16-page original booklet
Title: “Explanation and Instructions for the Poker-Patience Game”
Content: illustration and explanation of one specific patience variant (Poker Patience)
Not a general rulebook, but a contemporary sample booklet demonstrating a particular solitaire variation
Publisher: M. Kimmelstiel & Co., Hamburg
Imprint reference: Frankfurt am Main, B. Dondorf G.m.b.H.
Period-consistent with the deck, 1900s
Original small-format edition with gilt edge
Booklet size: approx. 9.5 × 7 cm
Condition: complete, slightly darkened with age, fully legible
Overall, an authentic and unaltered collector’s condition.
An exceptionally complete Patience set from the classic Dondorf era — including original box, gilt edges, and contemporary Poker Patience example booklet. Particularly attractive for collectors of historical playing cards and early solitaire games.
The deck has been carefully inspected and properly stored. It remains in the condition described above.
Shipping is carried out securely packed with DHL and tracking.
If you require additional details or further photographs, I am happy to assist.
This is an original one-of-a-kind piece.
