Description
– Launched Sep 2022 on Kickstarter, 331 backers pledged $22,093, out of $10,000 goal, to help bring this project to life.
– Check out the YouTube video by Art of Impossible on the History of Playing Cards Explained in 5 Minutes
– and Tom Matriq on The Secret History of Playing Cards
– Available editions:
1. Standard Edition “BLUE Deck” – Gold Metallic Ink Card Back, small Dondorf’s 4 Corners Index Pips, limited edition of 2500, unnumbered
2. Standard Edition “RED Deck” – Gold Metallic Ink Card Back, small Dondorf’s 4 Corners Index Pips, limited edition of 2500, unnumbered
3. Special Rare Edition “COPPER Deck” – Copper Metallic Ink Card Back, “Non-Index” Special Rare variant, no Indices, limited edition of 1000, unnumbered
1. Aqua Blue Gilded Edition “BLUE Deck” – Gold Metallic Ink Card Back, small Dondorf’s 4 Corners Index Pips
2. Pink Gilded Edition “RED Deck” – Gold Metallic Ink Card Back, small Dondorf’s 4 Corners Index Pips
3. Orange Gilded Special Rare Edition “COPPER Deck” – Copper Metallic Ink Card Back, “Non-Index” Special Rare variant
“Antique chromolithographed playing cards with an exceptionally high standard of design and craftsmanship in their historical production, professionalism and story behind them…”
Welcome to the 19th century playing cards history!
We are delighted to announce another historical deck restoration by AZURED OX.
This is a revived 1870 luxury deck that tells the story of four “corners” of the world…
Introducing – The Dondorf’s “Four Continents” Luxury Playing Cards Collection.
*2022 Printed in the USA by United States Playing Card Company (USPCC), Created by AZURED OX, Produced and Distributed by Will Roya.
Dondorf’s deck was painstakingly hand-restored and great care was taken with regard to each detail, breathing fresh new life into this historical three decks luxury collection…
3 Editions of Deck in the Historical Luxury Collection: Each Featuring Unique Metallic Card Backs
Suit-signs are placed in circled frames with light-catching metallic ink applied to them. This way they are inset to the images and scenes of the all face cards and framing.
Spades (Africa/Turkey), Hearts (Asia/India), Clubs (America/Spain), Diamonds (Europe/France)
Clubs (Spain/America), Hearts (India/Asia), Diamonds (France/Europe), Spades (Turkey/Africa)
We considered the original deck year “1870”, and the fact that after 1860, Europeans and Americans came to accept card indices (markings on the faces of cards that declared their values), when index pips started to be very popular on playing cards in their various forms.
Comfortable Fanning for both Right / Left-Handed Players
The most popular indices proved to be in diagonally opposite corners, or, less frequently, in all four corners. In Europe, it was more common to have corner indices on all four corners which lets left-handed players fan their cards more comfortably.
In addition, while researching through other historical Dondorf’s packs of playing cards including variety of index kinds; and at the same time, inspired by the Dondorf’s name of the deck – “Four Continents” or “Four Corners of the World”; we’ve just came to decision to add “Four” index pips into these revived “Standard Edition Poker-Size BLUE & RED” decks to become a typical 2 decks set suitable even for your favorite card games. So, with the additional Dondorf’s replica small corner pips, this regular BLUE/RED set is a 4 PIP index.
*Special Rare Edition – Poker-Size COPPER deck will be kept as original non-index version.
Restored Bernhard Dondorf’s Original Old JOKERS (Index Version – Included in BLUE/RED decks)
These JOKERS were used in Dondor’s decks before 1870 and even some years after – later then, after Bernhard Dondorf death, also the different version(s) of JOKERS were put into next decks more and more frequently and old ones came to extinction through the years.
THE DONDORF’S “DECK No.207” is revived by AZURED OX in 3 beautiful collector editions:
Pair of two standard decks (RED and BLUE) with added 4 corner indexes and one special ultra rare (COPPER) edition – as the original non index version of this deck, which would be available through tier rewards and as an additional option at the end of campaign based on availability. Created specifically for the Kickstarter release, decks will have a limited quantity available, so get them while you can!
*Face Cards and Backs inside the Special COPPER Edition Deck (non-index version) – will be printed with Copper Metallic ink as used on tuck case (RED/BLUE deck with Gold ink).
Back design, strictly based on Dondorf’s originals, was just precisely renewed, embellished with modern standards metallic printing technique and totally improved with symmetrical correction to be perfectly two-way mirrored on every detail but “BD” initials in the center.
Standard Edition “BLUE Deck” – Gold Metallic Ink Card Back
Standard Edition “RED Deck” – Gold Metallic Ink Card Back
Special Rare Edition “COPPER Deck” – Copper Metallic Ink Card Back
Historical Luxury Playing Cards Collection of 3 Poker Decks
Printed by United States Playing Card Company (USPCC)
Poker-Size Professional Classic Stock + Embossed (Linen) Finish)
Design Strictly Based on B. Dondorf’s Originals from 19th Century
Traditional Suit Pips Inset to the Framings and Scenes Images on the Cards
“Four Corners” Dondorf’s Small Index Pips (Only RED & BLUE Deck Edition)
Special COPPER Metallic Ink Tuck Case of Limited Rare Non-Index Edition
Embellished GOLD/COPPER Metallic Ink Card Faces + Backs (All Deck Editions)
52 Cards + 2 Jokers + 2 Double Sided Extra “Description” Cards (All Editions)
Custom Oval-Shaped Various Dondorf’s Seals (Stretch Goal)
Perfectly Symmetrically Adjusted Card Backs Printed with Light Catching Metallics
Gilded Card Edges of the Decks
Educational “Window to the Past” of the World – Playing Cards Rich in History
Featuring Unique Art Work On Every Card
Art, Revived, Digitally Hand-Restored, and Designed by AZURED OX
Produced by Will Roya
Jacks (Knaves)
Depicted figures are dressed in garb of their corresponding part of the world, representing the four “continents” or eventually hidden historical connection to them with some reference to significant religion or “change”…
America (*Spain) – Clubs:
“Spanish” Court of Clubs connected to the story of “America”
(*Story of Spanish Influence / Catholicism)
♣King Ferdinand II of Aragon and ♣Queen Isabella I of Castile – Reigning together over a dynastically unified Spain, Isabella and Ferdinand are known as the Catholic Monarchs. ♣Jack ,described as Spanish ambassador, may be Christopher Columbus (converted from Jewish past to Catholicism), holding his letter announcing discovery to King and Queen after his arrival back in Spain on March 15, 1493.
Europe (*France) – Diamonds:
“French” Court of Diamonds connected to the story of “Europe”
(*Story of French Influence / Protestantism)
♦King Henry IV and his wife ♦Queen Marie de Médicis – monarchs of France and Navarre. Henry IV is known for ending the French Wars of Religion and as protestant converting to Catholicism to satisfy the wishes of 90% of the population of France. ♦Jack, described as lance-bearer, is probably Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, who was a nobleman, soldier, warrior, statesman, and counselor of King Henry IV of France.
Africa (*Turkey) – Spades:
“Turkish” Court of Spades connected to the story (history) of “Africa”
(*Story of Turkish Influence / Islam)
♠King is likely to be Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire and ♠Queen, the chief consort and his (after breaking Ottoman tradition) legal wife, Hürrem Sultan – born as Alexandra, in eastern region of the Kingdom of Poland (now Ukraine), and as daughter of priest with her Orthodox Christian roots converted to Islam. She became one of the most powerful and influential women in Ottoman history as well as a prominent and controversial figure during the era known as the Sultanate of Women – she was the first imperial consort ever to receive the title “Haseki” Sultan(a). Janissary ♠Jack, may be Rüstem Pasha, an Ottoman statesman who served as the Grand Vizier of Sultan Süleiman the Magnificent. He is known as one of the most influential and successful grand viziers of the Ottoman Empire.
Asia (*India) – Hearts:
(*Story of Mughal Indian Influence / Hinduism)
Most likely, depicted ♥King is the Great Mogul – Abu’l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar of Mughal Dynasty (Turk-Mongol origin), Emperor of Mughal India. He was known for his tolerant attitudes toward non-Muslim peoples, religious differences and their inclusive policies within an expanding multi-ethnic and multi-religious empire – united India state. ♥Queen, described as Hindoo princess, is Akbar’s Rajput wife and chief consort, Mariam-uz-Zamani – Jodha Bai, who entered the harem as a Hindu. ♥Jack ,the Hindoo warrior, is probably Mirza Raja Man Singh I, the most powerful and trusted general in royal service of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
Pictures on numbered cards are related to the “continents” and painted in Grisaille style – a method of painting in gray monochrome, typically to imitate sculpture.
Each of the numbered cards include illustrations that relate to the theme and story.
The hearts have an Asian theme, diamonds a European theme, and spades an African (Ottoman) theme. Clubs have a theme from Spain and the subjects include the discovery of America with the Ace showing a ship departing for discovery…
Numerals Story of Clubs (America/Spain)
Numerals Story of Diamonds (Europe/France)
Numerals Story of Spades (Africa/Turkey)
Numerals Story of Hearts (Asia/India)
We put into this deck 2 additional double sided extra cards with the descriptions of individual cards inside the deck – texts are replication of Dondorf’s “Four Continents” playing cards leaflet, which was originally folded and tucked inside the old box.
Double sided “Descriptions” Extra Cards
Tuck case design is based on historical Dondorf’s boxes and inspired by various antique references combined together in modern minimalism. Dondorf’s cards were often found in linen paper tuck cases with folding flip lid top insert type box – mostly in red/blue color.
“Standard” BLUE and RED Edition with small Dondorf’s 4 Corners Index Pips on Cards
The labels on front were marked in a circle in various languages depending on deck exporting location (mostly German/English) “B. DONDORF FRANKFURT A.M. SPIELKARTEN/PLAYING CARDS” – also, they had significant big suit pip in the center (SPADE/HEART) or BD logo (sophisticatedly placed on renewed 3 tucks in collection).
“Non-Index” Special Rare COPPER Edition Deck with applied Copper metallic ink
The flaps were marked with “LUXUS KARTEN/PLAYING CARDS/or with the name for type of decks and their number”. The title of deck and the “B. Dondorf Frankfurt” was given at the sides or eventually “B. Dondorf” on top. Some decks also used dragon image on the back.
The sticker seals for this deck collection are custom made and designed based on antique stamp marks seen from the various Dondorf’s playing cards especially their newly adopted 1900’s dragon trademark symbol and the previously used calligraphic signature logo seal.
Custom Oval Shaped Sticker Deck Seals in Blue, Red, and Green “Oxidized” Copper Tarnish Color
MMXXII (2022) Restored Dondorf’s “Four Continents” Deck(s) No.207 (*Printed by USPCC)
Deck “No.207” was originally printed in 1870 by Bernhard Dondorf (Frankfurt am Main, Germany) probably in 2 colors; Blue and Red. They have been re-published in several editions, variations and formats and earlier editions had square corners.
The first edition of “Four Continents Luxury Playing Cards” was probably produced in combined wood and/or steel engraving with extremely expensive chromo-lithographic limestone plates printing technique based on chemical processes method and some additional color painting made by hand. Depending on the number of colors present, a chromolithograph could take even very skilled workers months to produce.
The luxury playing card factory founded in Frankfurt am Main by Bernhard Dondorf in 1833 existed for 100 years and was a particularly attractive chapter in playing card history.
Unique artwork illustrations on cards are from drawings by Friedrich Karl Hausmann, the artist, freelance painter and designer who was friend with Bernhard Dondorf for whose establishment and the Dondorf lithographic institute, among other things, he designed stationery, borders on wall calendars, diplomas, banknotes and paper money for Japan… when he finally moved to Frankfurt am Main in 1855 after their long artistic study trips and movements from Hanau to Antwerp, later Paris in 1851, and to Italy (Olevano, Tivoli) in 1854.
Academy Director Professor Friedrich Karl Hausman (Photography from circa 1875-1880) Picture used as Tribute here. Copyright: Medienzentrum Hanau / picture archive (Not included in deck)
Friedrich Karl Hausmann was born in Hanau on September 23, 1825, and died in Hanau on March 10, 1886, at his house, which was destroyed in the air raids on March 19, 1945.
Bernard J. Dondorf was born in Frankfurt am Main on March 19, 1809.
After serving his apprenticeship at Carl Christian Otto Naumann printers from 1824 to 1828, followed by further training in Paris and Berlin, he opened a lithographic printing business at Saalgasse 27 in Frankfurt on April 2, 1833.
In the early days Dondorf traded in every kind of accessory for the printing industry: from printing presses, machines for stone engraving, lithographic stones, chalks and visiting cards to wine labels, stationery, inks and papers and he was also involved in security printing. Always on the lookout for innovations in the graphic arts industry, and with the rise of chromolithography, Bernhard Dondorf was in a position to enter the playing card and card game manufacturing business.
Bernhard Dondorf (Photography from circa 1901) *Not included in deck
Dondorf’s playing cards were first mentioned in advertisements in 1839. His first packs were produced in the 1840 by steel engraving and stencil-colored lithography. He had reputation of specializing in high quality print products and lithographs what led to the founding of the sister company Dondorf & Nauman in 1850, which became a leading manufacturer of securities, banknotes for central banks and postage stamps.
In 1853 he purchased a steam engine and gradually increased his output of playing cards under the name “B. Dondorf, Frankfurt a. M.”
Also, Bernhard J. Dondorf was a member of the Constituent Assembly of the Free City of Frankfurt (1848-1849).
In 1871 Dondorf opened a new factory in Bockenheimer Landstrasse. It is still not clear where the cicra 1870 “Four Continents” deck No.207 was printed, but approximately 2 years later, in 1872 Bernhard Dondorf retired leaving the business in the hands of his sons who continued to expand the business and build new factories.
Bernhard J. Dondorf died in Frankfurt am Main on June 13, 1902.
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