Queen of Columbines
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Five of Columbines
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Ten of Columbines
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Valet of Parrots
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Nine of Parrots
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King of Parrots
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King of Hares
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Knave of Hares
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Valet of Hares
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King of Roses
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Queen of Roses
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Ace of Roses
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Three of Carnations
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Valet of Carnations
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Ace of Carnations
This engraved set of round playing cards was made by Monogrammist (Master) PW of Cologne in about 1500.
"The set is divided into five different groups (roses, columbines, carnations, parrots, hares) and each suite has ten numbers and four figures (king, queen, valet, knave)."In addition to the base set of seventy cards, there were two further cards whose function is unknown. Just over half of the deck owned by the British Museum has survived and all their remaining cards have been posted online at the Prints Database (if that link doesn't work, search with 'Monogrammist PW' in the free text field on the advanced search page). {a few of the above images had some stains removed}
Trifoni have a horrible framed site but a wealth of early card history, including a complete copy of the Master PW series reproduced from a 1970s facsimile printing.
8 comments :
Very cool: this is the first deck like this I’ve seen. Apparently Swiss-German playing cards have a suit of roses (along with bells, acorns and shields), but there don't, alas, seem to be any modern decks with parrots, hares, columbines or carnations as suits.
Excellent find, Master PK.
My word, those are beautiful. I might have to go find the reprint and make up some card games.
Those are really fascinating. I love the idea of suits of things like parrots, hares, columbines, acorns, and whatnot.
Great job! THey are beautiful.
those cards are really gorgeous.
there's something phallic about the carnations though :-)
A minor thought but with 72 cards you have a mighty fine tarot deck. It wouldn't be the first time one such deck has been disguised as a playing card deck. OTOH a 5 suit playing card deck would be make any older card game very interesting.
nice post
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