Zdeněk Mézl's Fortune Telling cards

The post-war socialist regime in Czechoslovakia aimed to organize society on a "rational, scientific basis," but this was primarily a matter of ideological rhetoric, not practical reality. Such a society, in theory, had no need for fortune-telling cards. However, in 1967 the state publishing house Mladá Fronta managed to remedy the situation by issuing this cartomancy deck as a special New Year publication. In the product description, the word ‘card’ is hidden behind the word "cedulka" with a meaning closer to ‘sign’ or ‘label’.

The cards were designed by L. Salačová and the graphics were handled by Zdeněk Mézl, a master of woodcut technique. The overall theme is based around the subject matter of the client : i.e. book publishing and its associated professions and situations. The imagery reflects the aesthetics of early 20th century Austria-Hungary. An unambiguous reference is the stamp shown on the card Bureau (Úřad) with the initials C.K., the original meaning of Emperor and King is associated with the monarchy.

The deck contains 32 cards measuring 58 x 88 mm + one extra card with a short description and publisher's information. The cards present the usual Fortune Telling Cards format. The image is supplemented with a title in Czech. Recommended interpretations of a specific situation are placed under the card title, excepting only the figures of the Lord (Pán) and the Lady (Dáma). However, the interpretations often contain sarcastic humour that undermines the seriousness of the game.

Above: Nakladatelství = Publisher; vanity/honeymoon • Šéfredaktor = Editor-in-chief; stubbornness/complicated matters • Tiskárna = Printer; revelation/understanding • Překladatel = Translator; flightiness/cronies.

Above: Knihkupec = Bookseller; despair/nobility • Čtenář = Reader; grief/momentary pleasure • Schůze = Meeting; temptation/lasting joy • Malíř = Painter; misfortune/great misfortune.

Above: Úřad = Bureau; faith/love • Pán = Gentleman • Dáma = Lady • Alkohol = Alcohol; merit/helping hand.

Above: Přítelkyně = Girlfriend; satisfaction/evil passions • Automobil = Car; falsehood/decay • Vězení = Prison; certainty/ingratitude • Honorář = Fee; fleeting happiness/anger.

Above: Smrt = Death; consolation/laziness • Pošta = Mail; fickleness/debt • Cizina = Abroad; exuberance/poverty • The Joly Joker; gossip/cunning.

Above: Zdeněk Mézl's Fortune Telling cards published by Mladá Fronta in 1967. The backs of the cards contain the letters MF, abbreviation of the publisher's name. The letters PF are an abbreviation of the French ‘Pour Féliciter’, and the reference to the following year: 1968. History has shown that it was not at all lucky for Czechoslovakia. The illustration on the sleeve (similar on both sides) is Mézl's quotation of the acorn ace from the Prague pattern and thus anticipates the master's further work in the card genre. In 2004, Zdeněk Mézl released a limited edition of the entire deck of his version of the Prague cards, even in two variants: ordinary and erotic (court cards and aces are common in these decks).

Zdeněk Mézl (1934-2016) studied fine arts at various institutions from 1949 to 1960. After his studies he began working with the woodcut technique, which engaged him throughout his professional career. His unmistakable style and fame spread far beyond the borders of the country. In addition to freelance work, he illustrated over 100 books and designed 3 postage stamps.

References

Petr Bílý - Karty Zdeňka Mézla in Yearbook of Club sběratelů hracích karet 2018

Wikipedia (Czech) : Zdeněk Mézl►