Where might I find scans of World War 2 service-issued playing cards? And is this a pack of Nazi-Germany service-issued cards?

by Levy_Wilson

Two part question. I was in a World War 2 Museum and saw a pack of service-issued American playing cards, wrapped up in a bag for display only obviously. I figured, well that's cool, I would love to get my hands on those and scan them. Since I play Tabletop Simulator on occasion, I thought it would be cool to open up with a pack of old service cards in-game for the fun of it. But obviously I can't take the museum's pack, go home, scan the cards, if there even is any in the pack, and bring them back, so I am left looking online for what I seek. Does anyone know where I might find, or who I might ask, for scans of these playing cards?

Next question, this box was on display in a case of Nazi-Germany memorabilia. They were surrounded by, what I think, were cigarette boxes, but I think the word "spielkarten" means play cards? The tape covers up the top part. Does anyone know anything about this pack of cards and where I might find scans of these? Having a pack of Nazi-Germany playing cards would make for a nice decoration in Tabletop Simulator when playing Secret Hitler.

Sorry if my motive for information is something as silly as wanting the cards for a game, but I figured using the cards like this would help experience history a little more than just looking at them slowly crumble to time in a museum display.

Edit: I just sent an email to USPCC, the company that acquired Arrco in 1987. Hoping to get a response from them, but I doubt they will send me scans of a 70 year old deck of cards.

Eistean

Have you considered asking the museum where you saw the cards? They might already have scans, or they might be willing to scan the cards and send you the files for a fee (how much depends on the museum). Even if they can't scan the cards for whatever reason, they might be able to direct you to another source.

Source: I'm a museum collections professional who does this for a living.

As an aside, you mentioned them slowly crumbling to time in a museum display. But the very fact that you're digging for more information about the cards, to get more in depth and involved with the history, shows that the museum display served its purpose.

It was a great question!