my playing card collection
prague pattern #2: piatnik: czech version
Maker:
Country:
Artist:
Year:
Type:
Suit:
My Ref:
Ferdinand Piatnik a Synové
Vienna, Austria (Vídni)
Traditional Prague Pattern
Pre 2000 (Piatnik No.1887)
32 cards 100 x 62mm
German
#109
The Prager or Bohemian pattern has its roots in the 16th century. Known as Hraci Karty Jednohlavé - playing cards, single headed, they have been produced by a number of companies both in Czechoslaovakia and elsewhere.
These are similar to Piatnik's earlier Prague Pattern but the language used is Czech rather than German. There are minior differences in the design, and colours. It also appears to be a new engraving and some of the faces are slightly different.
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prague pattern #1 and #2: differences
PRAGUE PATTERN NO. 2
CZECH VERSION
PRAGUE PATTERN NO. 1
EARLIER GERMAN VERSION
The animal has changed (lion? bear?), looks friendlier in the Czech version on the left.
The Fleur de Lis in the German version has been replaced by the two tailed lion, the emblem of Czecholslavakia and the Czech republic. Although the lion has lost his crown and is facing the opposite direction to most representations.
The dog has a rider! Looks like a bear, or a fox, blowing a bugle.
The Czech version on the left is a much sharper engraving, the colours are brighter, some are changed. The facial expression and the nose shape are also different.
The German version on the right has the Eagle emblem of Austria and the Lion of Salzburg on the shield.
The Czech version on the left has the two tailed lion, the emblem of Czecholslavakia and the Czech republic. Although, again, the lion has lost his crown and is facing the opposite direction to most representations.