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Item: Antique B. Dondorf No. 172 \"Empire\" Playing Cards
Manufacturer: B. Dondorf (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)
Estimated Production Date: Circa 1895–1910
Completeness: 100% Complete Ensemble (Full 52-card standard deck + Jolly Joker + Original slide tuck box).
This is an exceptionally well-preserved, 100% complete antique deck of B. Dondorf No. 172 \"Empire\" playing cards. First introduced around 1894, this iconic series features stunningly detailed chromolithographed court cards depicting historical fashion and figures from the early 19th-century French Empire court era.
What sets this specific item apart is its undeniable provenance. The interior flap of the box retains its original black-and-gold luxury retail label from the upscale merchant \"Küster, Perry & Co. Nachf. / Frankfurt a/M.\" (located historically at Kaiserstraße 27). This indicates the deck was purchased directly in Dondorf\'s hometown as a luxury item at the turn of the century.
KEY FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS
- Authentic Gold-Gilt Corners: This is a deluxe variation of the No. 172 printing, featuring genuine metallic gold-gilt application integrated directly onto the rounded tips and corners of the cards. They catch the light beautifully when handled.
- Includes the Jolly Joker: Finding this deck complete with its period-accurate matching Dondorf \"Jolly Joker\" is highly uncommon, as jokers were a late addition to traditional European printings.
- Legible Imperial Tax Stamp: The Ace of Hearts displays a clear, central Imperial German \"Deutsches Reich / Fünfzig Pf.\" (50 Pfennig) tax stamp bearing the \"No. 15\" branch mark for Frankfurt am Main, securely verifying its distribution era.
