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.
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.
Jugendstil Tarock
‘Jugendstil Tarock’ was designed by Ditha Moser and first published by Albert Berger and Josef Glanz in 1906.
Mythological and Allegorical tarot
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by Simon Wintle
Mythological and Allegorical tarot produced by Peter Paul Fetscher junior, Munich.
Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger
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by Simon Wintle
Mythological tarot by Michael Schatzberger, Passau, Bavaria, early 19th century.
Natural History Tarot
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by Simon Wintle
Natural History Tarot published by G M, Germany, early 19th C.
Oriental Scenes tarock
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by Simon Wintle
Trumps have oriental scenes on one end of the card, and mermaids, mermen, assorted sea serpents and monsters on the other end.
Piatnik Tarock
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by Simon Wintle
Deck of "Industrie und Glück" or "Rural Scenes" tarock cards manufactured by Ferd Piatnik & Söhne, Vienna, c.1910.
Soldaten Tarock
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by Rod Starling
Piatnik was known for their magnificent quality of chromo-lithographic printing, and this facsimile, or reprint, of “Soldaten Tarock No. 217” is virtually as magnificent as the original.
Swiss Scenic Tarock
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by Simon Wintle
Scenic Tarock deck produced by Fabrique de Cartes J. Müller & Cie (Schaffhouse), Suisse.
Tarocco Piemontese | Piedmontese tarot
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by Simon Wintle
The double ended version of the Piedmontese Tarot evolved during the second half of the nineteenth century, most probably in Turin. It is still produced and used today.
Tarock Cards
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by Simon Wintle
The earliest Tarot decks originated in Italy in the fifteenth century, with Italian suit symbols. However the game was very popular elsewhere and tarots with French suit signs, usually called "tarok" or "tarock", appeared around 1750 which are now mainly produced in Austria.
Tarock Schafkopf zum Wahlkampf 1990
Playing cards issued to mark the German federal elections held on 2 December 1990.
Taroquis ‘Obelisco’
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by Simon Wintle
78-card 'Taroquis Marca Obelisco' published by Mario Colombo, Buenos Aires, during the 1950s, 60s & 70s, in the style known as "Tarocco Piemontese" which had been developed by Italian cardmakers during the nineteenth century.
The New Game of Tarot (or Tarock)
Regional costumes and alpine flora on a French Tarot game pack marking 600 years of playing cards in Europe.
Verkehrte-Welt-Tarock
"Verkehrte-Welt-Tarock” (reverse world ?) manufactured by Christian Theodor Sutor (fl. 1823-1854), Naumburg, around 1850.
Western PCC
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by Simon Wintle
The Western Playing Card Company was formed in 1927. The exact history and origins are not clear.