Wooden Playing Card Press – Jugendstil Design, German Empire – 1910s

This handcrafted wooden playing card press dates to the Jugendstil period of the early 20th century and reflects a time when playing cards were treated with great care. Such presses were commonly used by card players to gently flatten and preserve their decks after frequent use.

The clear wooden construction, the hand-turned screw spindle and the traditional joinery make this piece not only a functional tool but also an authentic object of historic playing card culture. Today it serves equally well as a practical press or as a decorative collector’s piece.

Handcrafted wooden screw press for playing cards

Origin: German Empire period, Jugendstil era, ca. 1910s

Solid hardwood construction with traditional craftsmanship

Classic finger-joint / dovetail joinery typical for early 20th-century woodworking

Hand-turned wooden spindle with hand-cut thread

Large wooden spindle handle with beautiful aged patina

Stable wooden base with screwed construction

Includes 9 original pressing boards for even pressure distribution

Authentic historical object with strong collector appeal

Dimensions:

Case dimensions: approx. 285 mm × 155 mm

Height: approx. 68 mm

Condition:

Fully functional; spindle turns smoothly and produces stable pressing pressure

Small age-related chips visible on the upper thread edges of the spindle – a typical characteristic of early hand-cut wooden threads

The function of the press is not affected

Wood with warm patina and harmonious signs of age

Minor age-related wear on edges and pressing boards consistent with historical use

Overall a very attractive and coherent original piece

Small Extra:

A later original Skat card deck is included as a small extra (not historically related to the press).

The item has been carefully inspected and is in the condition described above.
Shipping will be securely packaged and sent with DHL including tracking.

If you have any questions or would like additional detail photos, please feel free to contact me.
This is an authentic one-of-a-kind collector’s item.