Before the dual monarchy collapsed, Austria was already playing with precisely these kinds of cards: two complete decks, 108 cards in total, whose design has lost none of its opulence to this day. Raised swords, flowers in ladies' hands, gold and crimson in dense geometric patterns – a card image such as was common in Central Europe around the turn of the century.
The Proof on the Ace of Hearts
Those who look closely will find a tiny tax stamp with the two-headed imperial and royal eagle on the Ace of Hearts – mandatory on every sold deck of cards in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Since the Republic of Austria switched to a single-headed eagle from 1919 onwards, it can be deduced that these cards are older than the Republic itself. A precise year remains open without expert knowledge; the range is approximately from the 1900s to the 1910s. Below the stamp, the manufacturer's mark "UNION" can be found.
Two Decks, One Find
They came into the house via a flea market in Eisenstadt – together, in a single, clearly aged cardboard box. One deck has a pink back, the other a deep blue back, both with the same floral border pattern.
Dimensions & Scope
- 2 complete decks of 52 cards + Jokers
- Total: 108 cards
- Box: approx. 9.5 × 6.5 × 2 cm (estimated)
Condition
Still playable, with honest signs of age and use: rounded corners, slight yellowing, occasional small creases or a fine tear. No repairs, no tape – pure original material. The box shows the same patina as the cards and could well be contemporary or even original, although this cannot be proven with absolute certainty.
Price is for 1 set (2 decks).
Eisenstadt, a table full of trinkets – these two card decks lay there together, as they probably had for a long time.
On the Ace of Hearts, the old double eagle still sits, an emblem from a time when an imperial crown lay over Vienna and no one suspected how short-lived it would be.
An empire passed. The card game remained.
Things with a soul · VintageAustriaShop
