Jacob Holmblad c.1820
Standard woodblock and stencil deck produced by Jacob Holmblad with double-ended court cards in the tradition of the French ‘Paris’ pattern. The A♥ features a red over-stamp referring to Jacob Holmblad's royal license to print playing-cards which had been granted in 1820.
Standard woodblock and stencil deck produced by Jacob Holmblad with double-ended court cards in the tradition of the French ‘Paris’ pattern but with no names on the court cards. Some of the cards have handwritten inscriptions at each end by a former owner who was evidently a student of cartomancy: the A♥ predicts “a ring” or “a duel” and also features a red over-stamp referring to Jacob Holmblad's royal licence to print playing-cards which had been granted in 1820. The A♦ has the red Danish playing-card tax stamp with three lions and a crown. The J♣ has an oval shield with the manufacturer's name.
Above: Standard woodblock and stencil pack produced by Jacob Holmblad with double-ended courts and numeral cards in the tradition of the French ‘Paris’ pattern, c.1820. Handwritten cartomancy interpretations in Danish.
Fortune Buchholtz wrote: One of the antique words sends us to the Danish equivalent of the OED for historical usages! 9♥rx, the mirror, apparently used to be an interesting building feature where people would have these half-mirror windows so you could look out into the street but passersby could not see into the drawing room; this was the so-called "window mirror." Perhaps in contrast to joy it evoked loneliness or isolation at that time?
A♥: Upright - A Ring (union); Reversed - A Duel (opposition)
A♦: Upright - A Happy Letter; Reversed - A Jealous Lover
J♥: Upright - A Suitor; Reversed - The Same
J♣: Upright - A Servant; Reversed - The Same
J♠: Upright - A Priest; Reversed - The Same
10♥: Upright - A Great Gift; Reversed - A Rendezvous
9♥: Upright - Profound Joy (deep); Reversed - A Mirror (superficial)
10♠: Upright - Tears; Reversed - A Death
REFERENCES
Hinrup, Hans J.: The Holmblad Playing Card Patterns, in "The Playing-Card" vol.33 no.4, IPCS London, Apr-June 2005.
Jensen, K. Frank: French suited tarot packs in Denmark and the Jacob Holmblad Animal tarot, in "The Playing-Card" vol.36 no.3, IPCS London, Apr-June 2008. [download here].
All images courtesy K. Frank Jensen.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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