Swiss Suited Playing Cards

Richard Gerbig

Richard Gerbig (1914-1995) is a well-known Swiss artist and graphic designer. He is best known for his illustrations. In his artistic work he also designed playing cards, some with French and some with Swiss suits.

Jass Cards by Richard Gerbig

These Swiss-German Jass cards are very special because the cards shown here are from the only known original deck. Otherwise, only uncut sheets are existing. (There is a "reprint" by Wädenswiler playing cards - in cooperation with Cartophilia Helvetica - where the aces of bells and shields have their own/new text.)

The ace of bells of these playing cards was signed by the artist Richard Gerbig, and the year 1985 is also written on it. The court cards are interesting because one side shows a happy, smiling face, while the other side shows the same person in a sad or rather grumpy state. The four suits were disigned in according colours: Bells = Yellow; Shields = Blue; Roses = Red; Acorns = Green

Swiss-German Jass playing cards by Richard Gerbig
Complete deck; 36/36 cards
Colour woodcut; Reverse side without imprint
Format: c. 87 x 53 mm (circa, because the sheet was probably cut by hand using a cutting machine)
Year:
- Design 1957
- Printed 1979 (uncut sheets accordingly dated)
- Distributed 1985 (signed and accordingly dated)
Reference: Manser [2018] No. "JSB 024" (page 126)