The Greek Struggle for Independence against the Ottoman occupiers triggered a massive wave of philhellenism that spread throughout Europe and even to the United States. The Greek cause was so popular that during the years of the 1821 Revolution, many decorative and utilitarian everyday objects—such as clocks, plates, and even playing cards—were produced, all inspired by the Greek Struggle.
Nowadays, we know that two decks of cards with a philhellenic theme were printed in Europe during the 1820s. One was printed in Germany in 1822, and the other in Hungary in 1829.
The German playing cards of 1822
German playing card deck from 1822 from a private collection (Source: “Archaeology and Arts” magazine)
This deck was crafted in 1822 in Leipzig, Germany, by the German C.H. Zoelcke. It is complete and consists of 52 cards measuring 8.4 x 5.5 centimeters, which are stored in a gray box adorned with gold bands and measuring 9.3 x 6.2 x 2.9 centimeters.
In the King suit, we find Alexander Ypsilantis (King of Spades), Odysseas Androutsos (King of Diamonds), Georgakis Olympios (King of Clubs), and George Kantakouzenos (King of Clubs). As for the female figures, the Queen of Clubs depicts Bouboulina, the Queen of Swords depicts Princess Mourouzi, the Queen of Swords takes the form of a fictional Greek woman, Elena Topoli, while the Queen of Clubs depicts Princess Ypsilanti, sister of Alexander and Dimitris Ypsilanti. Among the other figures, we find Arnaoutis (likely referring to Ali Pasha) on the Jack of Swords, the Hierolochitis on the Jack of Cups, and Moraitis on the Jack of Diamonds. Today, this rare and very beautiful deck belongs to a well-known private collection in Germany.
The Hungarian playing cards of 1829
Hungarian playing cards dated 1829 from the EIM collection
The 1829 deck was printed in Hungary, and the design of the playing cards is attributed to the German painter Farkas. The playing cards depict heroes of the Revolution, such as Theodoros Kolokotronis (Jack of Swords), Konstantinos Kanaris (Jack of Clubs), Andreas Miaoulis (Jack of Hearts), Markos Botsaris (Jack of Diamonds), as well as figures who played a significant role in the political and diplomatic developments of the Greek cause, such as Dimitrios Ypsilantis (King of Clubs), Ioannis Kapodistrias (King of Clubs), Alexandros Mavrokordatos (King of Diamonds), and Georgios Kountouriotis (King of Swords). In place of the female figures, we find the allegorical figures of Greece (Queen of Cups), Athena (Queen of Diamonds), and Karteria (Queen of Clubs). It should be noted that the goddess Athena was the symbol of the Provisional Government of Greece, while the “Karteria” and the “Ellas” were two of the most important Greek ships that took part in critical naval operations in Greece during the years of the Revolution. The playing cards measure 9 x 6 centimeters. Eleven cards from the deck have survived and are on display at the National Historical Museum in Athens (inv. no. 1730).
In summary, these two decks of cards confirm the strong philhellenic spirit that prevailed in Central Europe at that time and which permeated nearly every aspect of daily life. At the same time, the fact that the figures depicted on the playing cards were heroes and prominent figures of the Greek Revolution shows us that the general public at the time was quite well-informed about the revolutionary events in Greece and admired the Greek revolutionaries for their actions.
Giorgos Giannikos
Bibliographic refernences:
Epanasistasi ’21 (2021), Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece. Athens: Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece, p. 430.
Bousé, V. (1996). A deck of cards with philhellenic themes. Archaeology and Arts, 59, pp. 96–98.
https://www.ypsilantio.gr/content/istorika-stoixeia/sylloges/istorika-antikeimena/34-trapoyles-me-toys-hrwes-ths-ellhnikhs-epanastashs
