REICHS-KARTE – Fritz von Lindenau, VSS Altenburg, French-Suited Playing Cards with Gilt Corners, German Empire – circa 1915 – One-of-a-Kind

An exceptional original from the German Empire: the so-called REICHS-KARTE was created around 1915 during the First World War. Combining political iconography, artistic design and patriotic symbolism, this historic playing-card deck is an impressive document of its time.

The card design was created by Fritz von Lindenau. The deck was published in support of the “Luftfahrerdank Berlin-Charlottenburg” and manufactured by the Vereinigte Stralsunder Spielkartenfabriken (VSS Altenburg), one of Germany’s leading playing-card manufacturers of the period.

The elaborately designed court cards depict personalities of the German Empire alongside allegorical representations of agriculture, technology, science and social welfare. The aces feature the coats of arms of Prussia, Saxony, Bavaria and Württemberg. Together, they form a deliberately composed national tableau reflecting the political and social climate of Imperial Germany.

The tax stamp “Deutsches Reich No. 90 – Dreißig Pfennig”, used between 1903 and 1919, confirms the dating to the German Imperial period. The edition marking identifies this example as belonging to the 800,000–899,000 production series.

Title: REICHS-KARTE

Design: Fritz von Lindenau

Published in support of the “Luftfahrerdank Berlin-Charlottenburg”

Manufacturer: Vereinigte Stralsunder Spielkartenfabriken (VSS Altenburg)

Date: circa 1915

Suit system: French suits

Complete deck of 32 playing cards

Card dimensions: approximately 59 × 92 mm

Special feature: original gilt corners

Tax stamp: “Deutsches Reich No. 90 – Dreißig Pfennig”

Edition marking: 800,000–899,000

Card back: Iron Cross with Imperial Eagle and oak leaves in black and red

Original folding box included

Condition:

Complete with all 32 cards

Very good condition considering its age

No creases or tears

Even and authentic age-related patina

Gilt corners remain very well preserved

Original folding box in exceptionally good condition

Only normal signs of age, use and storage

Complete examples of this historic REICHS-KARTE are rarely found today, particularly with their original gilt corners and such a well-preserved folding box. An authentic collector’s item with impressive imagery, clear historical significance and an exceptionally attractive overall appearance.

The item has been inspected and is in the condition described.
It will be carefully packaged and shipped with DHL tracking.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or requests for additional detailed photographs.
This is an original one-of-a-kind item.