Dondorf -- No.192 "Shakespeare"
German playing cards -- 52 cards; 1 Joker; 1 insert card
Publisher C.W.Faulkner & Co. Ltd. London E.C.
Original paintings by John H. Bacon

 

This is one of the most desirable decks for collectors and also one of the most beautiful decks of cards ever made, by Dondorf or anyone else. From the size of the indices, and other indicators, the cards are an early Dondorf edition (these decks were in production from 1895 until 1933).

 

Dondorf - Shakespeare - German playing cards

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There are 52 cards, plus a Joker unique to this deck, plus an un-backed insert card in German that identifies which Shakespeare characters are depicted on the court cards. The Court designs have been reproduced from the original paintings by John H Bacon. The court cards depict characters from Hamlet (Spades) and Henry VIII (Diamonds) Richard III and As You Like It (Clubs) & Henry V and King John (Hearts)

The cards are large, measuring 93mm x 60mm, with gold gilt at the corners.


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