French-Suited Playing Cards: A Photographic Archive

A Gallery of Historical and Modern Decks Featuring Suit Variations and Artistic Interpretations

FRENCH-SUITED PLAYING CARDS | 2

2 | OTHER PATTERNS

Turnhout's «Bongout» pattern
INFOBOXHere the Turnhout style, with double borders and corner decorations. Ended ∼1900.
double-headed only 'Bongoût' playing cards
4
«cartes italiennes» pattern
INFOBOXConventional name, but the versions with Italian scenic aces seem rarer than others. Ended ∼1900.
double-headed only 'Cartes Italiennes' playing cards
3
«cartes suisses» pattern
INFOBOXConventional name. It already appears on the earliest wrappers. Switzerland is often illustrated by the scenic aces, but the deck was never produced there. Ended ∼1900.
double-headed only 'Cartes Suisses' playing cards
3
«cartes imperiales» patterns
INFOBOXMostly a Belgian/Dutch pattern, in two main versions. Double-headed only. Ended ∼1930.
first version 'Cartes Imperiales' playing cards, first version second version 'Cartes Imperiales' playing cards, second version
13
«Nieuw Neerlandia» pattern
INFOBOXNieuw Neerlandia=New Netherlands.
double-headed only 'Nieuw Neerlandia' playing cards
4
Swedish (old) pattern
INFOBOXThe predecessor to the current pattern. Ended ∼1900.
double-headed only Old Swedish-style playing cards
2
«Holmblad A» pattern
INFOBOXOne of the numerous patterns by this Danish maker.
double-headed only 'Holmblad A' playing cards
10
«Holmblad B» pattern
INFOBOXOne of the numerous patterns by this Danish maker. Ended ∼1920.
double-headed only 'Holmblad B' playing cards
5
«Holmblad C» pattern
INFOBOXOne of the numerous patterns by this Danish maker. Ended ∼1950.
double-headed only 'Holmblad C' playing cards
3
«Holmblad D» pattern
INFOBOXOne of the numerous patterns by this Danish maker. Ended ∼1910.
double-headed only 'Holmblad D' playing cards
1
«Handa» pattern
INFOBOXCreated by this Danish maker for the domestic market to compete with, or replace, the Rhineland pattern.
double-headed only 'Handa' playing cards
8
«Cartes Hollandaises» pattern
INFOBOXActually a French pattern. Ended ∼1940.
double-headed only 'Cartes Hollandaises' playing cards
4
«Cartes Parisiennes» pattern
INFOBOXIn the «Cartes Royales» version, the Queen of Hearts lacks the plumed hat. Ended ∼1920.
double-headed only 'Cartes Parisiennes' playing cards
4
«Noblesse» pattern
INFOBOXAlso known as «Renaissance» pattern. Ended ∼1900.
double-headed only 'Noblesse' playing cards
4
«Sofa-karte» pattern
INFOBOX«Sofa-karte» because some characters are seated on it. Ended ∼1900.
double-headed only 'Sofa-Karte' playing cards
3
«Salon-karte» pattern
INFOBOX«Salonkarte» often means "deluxe card", as here.
double-headed only 'Salon-Karte' playing cards
5
«Baronesse» pattern
INFOBOXThe prototype of modern Rococo-style cards. It also features directly derived designs.
double-headed only 'Baronesse' playing cards
15
«Mittelalter-karte» pattern
INFOBOXHas become almost a standard pattern in Portugal. It also features directly derived designs.
double-headed only 'Mittelalter-Karte' playing cards
6
«Wust 1» pattern
INFOBOXOne of the family patterns by this German maker. Also described as "Wüst A" pattern. Ended ∼1920.
double-headed only 'Wüst 1' playing cards
3
«Wust 2» pattern
INFOBOXOne of the family patterns by this German maker. Also described as "Wüst A" pattern. Ended ∼1900.
double-headed only 'Wüst 2' playing cards
1
«Wust 3» pattern
INFOBOXOne of the family patterns by this German maker. Also described as "Wüst B" pattern.
double-headed only 'Wüst 3' playing cards
5
«bohme» pattern
INFOBOXFrom the name of the alleged first manufacturer.
double-headed only 'Böhme' playing cards
3
Tuscan double-headed pattern
INFOBOXEarly attempt at a regional double-headed pattern. Note the pronounced inclination of some court cards. Ended ∼1900.
double-headed only Tuscan-style playing cards, double-headed
1
«Writers Deck» pattern
INFOBOXA Trieste pattern with French suits. The name refers to the writers' names depicted on the Jacks. Ended ∼1920.
double-headed only 'Writers' playing cards
1
Nuoro pattern
INFOBOXThe latest attempt (failed) to introduce a regional substitute for the Genoese pattern in Sardinia, in predominantly French-suited areas. A pattern of German origin. Ended ∼1965.
double-headed only Nuoro-style playing cards
1
«Russkije» pattern
INFOBOXRussian traditional costumes.
double-headed only 'Russkije' playing cards
4
«Lowenschulter-Karte» pattern
INFOBOXLöwenschulter=Lion's shoulder; appearing on a King (but not always...). Ended ∼1920.
double-headed only 'Löwenschulter-Karte' playing cards
3
«Schild-Karte» pattern
INFOBOXThe name because of the shield on the Jack of Spades. Ended ∼1920.
double-headed only 'Schild-Karte' playing cards
1
«Renaissance-Karte 1» pattern
INFOBOXDesign originating from the maker Lennhoff & Heuser. Ended ∼1900.
double-headed only 'Renaissance-Karte 1' playing cards
4
«Renaissance-Karte 2» pattern
INFOBOXDesign originating from the maker Lennhoff & Heuser. Ended ∼1900.
double-headed only 'Renaissance-Karte 2' playing cards
1
Frankfurt's «Bongout» pattern
INFOBOXDesign originating from the maker Lennhoff & Heuser. Ended ∼1900.
double-headed only Frankfurt's 'Bongoût' playing cards
1
«Frankfurter-Karte» pattern
INFOBOXGeneric name, lacking specific denomination. Ended ∼1900?
double-headed only 'Frankfurter-karte' playing cards
1
Hamburg pattern
INFOBOXA quite unstable pattern, often defined only on kings, with minimal differences between the Hamburg pattern (IPCS #58) and «Cartes Ham­bour­geoises» (IPCS #71). Ended ∼1925?
double-headed only Hamburg & 'Cartes Hambourgeoises' playing cards
3
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French-Suited Playing Cards: A Photographic Archive

A Gallery of Regional and Supra-Regional Playing Cards with Historical and Modern Decks

 
A Visual Archive of Standard Patterns
FRENCH-SUITED PLAYING CARDS | 2

LAST UPDATED: 16 SEP 2026

Selected deck:
"Sofa-Karte", a German pack made by Frommann
INV 2358 | "Sofa-Karte", a German pack made by Frommann

Other conventional patterns
Please note that some minor, or uncertain, patterns (e.g. Latvian, Norwegian, Polish, etc.) are included in their respective countries (part three).
single-headed
double-headed
pattern name
'Bongoût' playing cards
Turnhout's «Bongout» pattern[ENDS ∼1900]

With double borders and corner decorations.
Turnhout's "Bongoût" pattern [4]
'Cartes Italiennes' playing cards
«cartes italiennes» pattern[ENDS ∼1900]

Conventional name.
"Cartes Italiennes" pattern [3]
'Cartes Suisses playing cards
«cartes suisses» pattern[ENDS ∼1920]

Conventional name.
Never produced in Switzerland.
"Cartes Suisses" pattern [4]
'Cartes Imperiales' playing cards, first version'Cartes Imperiales' playing cards, second version
«cartes imperiales» patterns[ENDS ∼1930]

Mostly a Belgian/Dutch pattern, in two main versions.
"Cartes Imperiales" patterns [13]

  First version
  Second version
'ieuw Neerlandia' playing cards
«Nieuw Neerlandia» pattern

Nieuw Neerlandia=New Netherlands.
"Nieuw Neerlandia" pattern [4]
Old Swedish-style playing cards
Swedish (old) pattern[ENDS ∼1900]

The predecessor to the current pattern.
Swedish (old) pattern [2]
'Holmblad A' playing cards
«Holmblad A» pattern

One of the numerous patterns by this Danish maker.
"Holmblad A" pattern [10]
'Holmblad B' playing cards
«Holmblad B» pattern[ENDS ∼1920]

One of the numerous patterns by this Danish maker.
"Holmblad B" pattern [5]
'Holmblad C' playing cards
«Holmblad C» pattern[ENDS ∼1950]

One of the numerous patterns by this Danish maker.
"Holmblad C" pattern [3]
'Holmblad D' playing cards
«Holmblad D» pattern[ENDS ∼1910]

One of the numerous patterns by this Danish maker.
"Holmblad D" pattern [1]
'Handa' playing cards
«Handa» pattern

Created by this Danish maker for the domestic market to compete with, or replace, the Rhineland pattern.
"Handa" pattern [8]
'Cartes Hollandaises' playing cards
«Cartes Hollandaises» pattern[ENDS ∼1940]

Actually a French pattern.
"Cartes Hollandaises" pattern [4]
'Cartes Parisiennes' playing cards
«Cartes Parisiennes» pattern[ENDS ∼1920]

With «Cartes Royales» version.
"Cartes Royales" & "Cartes Parisiennes" patterns [4]
'Noblesse' playing cards
«Noblesse» pattern[ENDS ∼1900]

Also known as «Renaissance» pattern.
"Noblesse" pattern [4]
'Sofa-Karte' playing cards
«Sofa-karte» pattern[ENDS ∼1900]

«Sofa-karte» because of some seated characters.
"Sofa-Karte" pattern [3]
'Salon-Karte' playing cards
«Salon-karte» pattern

«Salonkarte» often means "deluxe card", as here.
"Salon-Karte" pattern [5]
'Baronesse' playing cards
«Baronesse» pattern

The prototype of modern Rococo-style cards.
It also features directly derived designs.
"Baronesse" pattern [15]
'Mittelalter-Karte' playing cards
«Mittelalter-karte» pattern

Has become almost a standard pattern in Portugal.
It also features directly derived designs.
"Mittelalter-Karte" pattern [6]
'Wüst 1' playing cards
«Wust 1» pattern[ENDS ∼1920]

One of the family patterns by this German maker.
Also described as "Wüst A" pattern.
"Wüst 1" pattern [3]
'Wüst 2' playing cards
«Wust 2» pattern[ENDS ∼1900]

One of the family patterns by this German maker.
Also described as "Wüst A" pattern.
"Wüst 2" pattern [1]
'Wüst 3' playing cards
«Wust 3» pattern

One of the family patterns by this German maker.
Also described as "Wüst B" pattern.
"Wüst 3" pattern [5]
'Böhme' playing cards
«bohme» pattern

From the name of the alleged first manufacturer.
"Böhme" pattern [3]
Tuscan-style playing cards, double-headed
Tuscan double-headed pattern[ENDS ∼1900]

Early attempt at a regional double-headed pattern.
Tuscan double-headed pattern [1]
'Writers' playing cards
«Writers Deck» pattern[ENDS ∼1920]

A Trieste pattern with French suits. The name refers to the writers' names depicted on the Jacks.
"Writers deck" pattern [1]
Nuoro-style playing cards
Nuoro pattern[ENDS ∼1965]

Sardinian pattern in the French system.
A pattern of German origin.
Nuoro pattern [1]
'Russkije' playing cards
«Russkije» pattern

Russian traditional costumes.
"Russkije" pattern [4]

Semi-conventional patterns
Selection of decks – all of German origin – with affinities between them ("veiled" queens) and with many cards similar to the patterns shown above.
single-headed
double-headed
pattern name
'Löwenschulter-Karte' playing cards
«Lowenschulter-Karte» pattern[ENDS ∼1920]

Löwenschulter=Lion's shoulder (but not always...).
"Löwenschulter-Karte" pattern [3]
'Schild-Karte' playing cards
«Schild-Karte» pattern[ENDS ∼1920]

The name because of the shield on the Jack of Spades.
"Schild-Karte" pattern [1]
'Renaissance-Karte 1' playing cards
«Renaissance-Karte 1» pattern[ENDS ∼1900]

Originated by the maker Lennhoff & Heuser.
"Renaissance-Karte 1" pattern [4]
'Renaissance-Karte 2' playing cards
«Renaissance-Karte 2» pattern[ENDS ∼1900]

Originated by the maker Lennhoff & Heuser.
"Renaissance-Karte 2" pattern [1]
Frankfurt's 'Bongoût' playing cards
Frankfurt's «Bongout» pattern[ENDS ∼1900]

Originated by the maker Lennhoff & Heuser.
Frankfurt's "Bongoût" pattern [1]
'Frankfurter-karte' playing cards
«Frankfurter-Karte» pattern[ENDS ∼1900?]

Generic name, lacking specific denomination.
"Frankfurter-Karte" pattern [1]
Hamburg & 'Cartes Hambourgeoises' playing cards
Hamburg pattern[ENDS ∼1925?]

A quite unstable pattern, often defined only on kings. IPCS sheets #58 & #71.
Hamburg & "Cartes Hambourgeoises" patterns [3]