Tarock or Tarok
Tarock and Tarok are traditional card games, distinct from tarot cards used in divination. Originating in the 15th century, these games involve strategic, trick-taking gameplay and have various regional versions across Europe. Unlike modern tarot decks for cartomancy, Tarock and Tarok decks are designed for gaming, featuring a special set of trumps with outdoor scenes and Roman numerals. Trump I often depicts a musician. Our collection of articles explores their card designs and the different regional variations.
Adametz, Vienna
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by Simon Wintle
Cards from a 54-card "Austrian Tarock" or "Industrie und Glück Tarock" pack made by Franz Adametz of Vienna, c.1948. This type of pack originated around the middle of the 19th century and was used (and still is) in Austria and Hungary.
Animal Tarok by Jean Friedrich Mayer (1752-1783)
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by Simon Wintle
Animal Tarok by Jean Friedrich Mayer (1752-1783).
Animal Tarot
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by Simon Wintle
Woodblock and stencil Animal Tarot cards, probably of Swiss origin, 2nd half 18th century.
Animal Tarot by Andreas Benedict Göbl
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by Simon Wintle
French-suited Animal Tarot deck produced by Andreas Benedict Göbl, Munich.
Animal Tarot by J. B Dubois
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by Simon Wintle
French-suited Bavarian Animal Tarot by J B Dubois, Liège, Belgium, late 18th C.
Animal Tarot by J. T Dubois
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by Simon Wintle
Early 19th century Animal Tarot pack produced by J T Dubois, Liège, Belgium.
Animal Tarot by Johann M Backofen
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by Simon Wintle
French-suited ‘Bavarian Animal Tarot’ by Johann Matheus Backofen, Nürnberg, late 18th C.
Animal Tarot by Joseph Fetscher
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by Simon Wintle
French-suited Natural History Tarot deck by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1820.
Æsop’s Fables tarot
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by Simon Wintle
French-suited Æsop’s fables tarot produced by Leipzig Industrie Comptoir, c.1800-1825.
Bourgeois Tarot
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by Simon Wintle
Bourgeois Tarot by Vereinigte Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkarten-Fabriken.
Cartas Gitanas
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by Simon Wintle
The designs of these fortune-telling cards are largely taken from nineteenth century Austrian "Rural Scenes" Tarock cards.
Costumes of Turkey Tarot
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by Simon Wintle
‘National Costumes of Turkey’ tarot by Industrie Comptoir, Leipzig, c.1800-1825.
Danish playing cards - Tarock trumps
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by Simon Wintle
Two versions of trump no.15 depicting the Thorvaldsen Museum.
Danish Tarok Cards - Holmblad, c.1850
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by Simon Wintle
The traditional animal images on tarok decks are here substituted by images of buildings from Copenhagen and the surrounding area. The deck had several editions, with each new edition updating the latest changes to the buildings that had taken place since the previous edition.
Danish Tarok Cards - Salomon & Co., c.1906
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by Simon Wintle
Danish Tarok cards published by S. Salomon & Co., Kjøbenhavn, c.1906.
Dondorf Tarot
Dondorf's “Microscopique Tarock“ was first published in c.1870. The scenes portrayed at each end of the trump cards are marvels of miniature graphic artwork and printing.
Dondorf Tarot Aces
The four suits are associated with four countries: Clubs = Germany, Diamonds = UK, Spades = Russia and Hearts = France.
Holmblad Animal Tarot
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by Simon Wintle
Instead of the old emblematic designs, the trump cards show illustrations of animals, which could possibly have symbolic meanings or moralizing interpretations.