National playing cards (Code: g00374)

One of the rarest decks issued by the State Card Monopoly in the 1920s. The exact date of issue is unclear. In 1922, the USSR consisted of four republics: the Transcaucasian SFSR, the Ukrainian SSR, the Byelorussian SSR, and the Russian SFSR. In 1924-1925, the Bukhara SSR and Khorezm SSR were admitted to the USSR. There are only four suits. Spades represent Transcaucasia and specifically Georgia; Clubs represent Ukraine, Hearts represent Russia; and Diamonds represent Central Asia, specifically Uzbek costumes. A good person should determine this identity only if they are experts in folk costumes. This particular deck is kept in the Peterhof Museum of Playing Cards; it is the only known surviving example of this deck, discovered by renowned collector Vladimir Taldykin. Offered for sale is a restored deck of playing cards, created by our virtual museum, artcol.ru.

A deluxe double-boxed edition is also available. One deck is on gold cardstock, the other on silver. Price: $90.

(Unrestored playing cards are shown here)