Thirty-two Painted Hide Apache Playing Cards

Description:

Thirty-two Painted Hide Apache Playing Cards, c. last quarter 19th century,
approximate size 3 3/8 x 2 in.
Note: "26 of the cards have been cut from rawhide of which the suede side shows considerable soil. The edges are uniformly darkened and the backs have turned the medium to dark brown of old hide. The skin used on the remaining six cards is smooth, like dark, stiff parchment, showing no suede characteristics and little soil. The colors used are various shades of red, brown, and grey to blue grey with the symbols and figures outlined in black. Most designs lean distinctively toward the Spanish/Mexican tradition but there are some differences in detail. the Reys are rectangular robed figures with conspicuous crowns, but the portraying of arms on all four Reys is not unusual in the Spanish tradition. The costumes on the Sotas and Caballos hats, jackets, pants and boots are amazingly similar to those found the Beineck/Fisher pack, although the revolvers and spurs are lacking. The suite symbols cling, in general, to the Spanish/Mexican interpretations with few striking departures. There are no notable features in the Coins suit. The Ace of Swords is an unusually good copy of the Spanish ceremonial sword and its belt, characteristic of better Mexican cards. A strange and inconsistent variation is found on the Sota of Swords on which the figure appears to have a rifle in his hand rather than a sword." (Virginia Wayland)

Literature: Playing Cards of the Apaches, by Virginia Wayland, Harold Wayland, and Alan Ferg, 2006.
Estimate $8,000-12,000


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