oozlumgames.com

Fighting 15s now has in stock the latest deck of playing cards from Bartek Drejewicz – pin-up girls in 17th century uniforms. Like his successful Napoleonic pin-up girls deck, this pack of cards is published by Polish lingerie store Intimo.

The illustrations in this deck, entitled Wild Wild Fields (Bardzo Dzikie Pola), are inspired by the history of central Europe in the 17th century. Many countries of central Europe – Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine plus a few smaller nations – were united in the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was arrayed against the Kingdom of Sweden, the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. There were a lot of wars in western Europe in this period, such as the English Civil War, so the deck includes a few illustrations from the Kingdom of England. Scottish mercenaries also fought on both sides during the wars between Poland and Sweden. The deck also contains pictures of soldiers from Spain, Germany, France and smaller countries, because these troops were either mercenaries or allies of Central European empires and also brave soldiers and highly effective units. The illustrations are highly respectable: this is a pin-up not a glamour deck.

The playing cards are a bridge-sized deck and printed on opaque casino card. Each of the 52 cards is uniquely illustrated; the deck also contains four unique jokers. The cards use a continental notation so the Queen is represented by a D (Dame). Decks are available with either a silver and blue back or a red and gold back; the illustrations on either deck are the same. Our introductory offer on these decks has ended and the prices as of 1 January 2016 are £9.50 per deck including VAT. The decks are available to buy in the Fighting 15s shop.

The illustrations on the cards are as follows:

Clubs depicts Western European armies, mostly Sweden and England:

Ace – Kingdom of Sweden, Veteran Infantry in winter uniform (hongreline)
King – Kingdom of Sweden, Cuirassier
Dame (Queen) – Kingdom of England, Royalist infantry officer
Jack – Kingdom of Sweden, Arquebusier
10 – Kingdom of England, Parliamentarian infantry officer
9 – Kingdom of England, Cannoneer
8 – Kingdom of Sweden, Yellow Regiment Corporal
7 – Holy Roman Empire, Musketeer
6 – Kingdom of Sweden, Musketeer, King’s Lifeguard Company
5 – Kingdom of Sweden, Musketeer
4 – Kingdom of Sweden, Pikeman
3 – Kingdom of Sweden, Reiter
2 – Kingdom of England, Highlander
Joker – Kingdom of Sweden, Infantry drummer

Diamonds depicts the Eastern empires – Russia, Turkey, Tartars, and eastern parts of Ukraine.

Ace – Russian Empire, Zhylec, Nobleman cavalry
King – Ottoman Empire, Sipahi, Heavy cavalry
Dame (Queen) – Russian Empire, Cannoneer
Jack – North-East Ukraine, Cossack
10 – Ottoman Empire, Emperor’s standard bearer
9 – Russian Empire, Guardsman Musketeer, Streltsy of Moscow
8 – Ottoman Empire, Janissary
7 – South East Ukraine, Cossack
6 – Russian Empire, Pikeman
5 – Ottoman Empire, Bashi-Bazouk irregular infantry
4 – Crimean Khanate, Tatar archer
3 – Russian Empire, Boyarin, Nobleman heavy cavalry
2 – Ottoman Empire, Sultan’s guardsman
Joker – Ottoman Empire, Janissary musician

Hearts depicts troops of the eastern forces of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Ace – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Winged Hussar, mid XVIIth century
King – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Winged Hussar officer, late XVIIth century
Dame (Queen) – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Polish infantry officer
Jack – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Polish medium cavalry officer
10 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Low-rank Winged Hussar, early XVIIth century
9 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Polish Hajduk, royal line infantry
8 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Lisowczyk/Elear, irregular light cavalry
7 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Polish Hajduk, early XVIIth century
6 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Polish Tatar, mid XVIIth century
5 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Medium cavalry soldier
4 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Winged Hussar in funeral colours, early XVIIth century
3 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Polish Hajduk pikeman
2 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Light cavalry
Joker – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Polish Hajduk bagpipe player

Spades depicts the western forces of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, its mercenaries and allies.

Ace – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, King’s Guard Musketeer
King – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Royal Janissary
Dame (Queen) – Kingdom of France, Dragoon
Jack – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Ukrainian Cossack
10 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Cannoneer
9 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Mercenary infantry officer
8 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Reiter
7 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Dragoon
6 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Musketeer
5 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Polish dragoon
4 – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Pikeman
3 – Kingdom of Spain, Tercio
2 – Transylvania, Hajduk, Mercenary infantryman
Joker – Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Infantry musician

Bartek’s Napoleonic deck remains out of print, but Fighting 15s is given to understand that he is at work on another one.

Link: http://www.fighting15sshop.co.uk/playing-cards-913-c.asp