Tarot Philatélique

Published January 26, 2025 Updated January 27, 2025

Tarot game pack with French postage stamps on all the courts, aces and trumps.

1990 France France Cartes Jacques Hiver Philately Tarot

The French Post Office (La Poste) has a long history of issuing stamps with either tourist sites and monuments or paintings and other works of art. In this pack, examples of the former appear on the trumps (two on each) and the aces (cathedrals), while examples of the latter adorn the court cards and l’excuse. The reproductions are faithful to the originals in terms of colour and very slightly larger in terms of size. The works of art represent the Middle Ages (D), and the 15th (S), 17th (H), 19th (C) and 20th (l’excuse) centuries. All the stamps are set against a cream-coloured background, while plain white is used on the numeral cards. The back pattern comprises various postmarks and cancellations • See the box

Tarot Philatélique made and published by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1990 Tarot Philatélique made and published by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1990 Tarot Philatélique made and published by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1990 Tarot Philatélique made and published by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1990

Above: Tarot Philatélique made and published by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1990. 78 cards + 2 extra cards + rules in French in tuck box. Size: 60 x 112.5 mm. © S.P.A.D.E.M. et © A.D.A.G.P. 1990

The pack was conceived by Jacques Hiver, with authorisation from La Poste. French stamp dealers and catalogue publishers Yvert & Tellier also contributed to the publication of this pack.

avatar
582 Articles

By Roddy Somerville

Member since May 31, 2022

Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.

Related Articles

1897 Tarot hiéroglyphique égyptien

Tarot hiéroglyphique égyptien

The design of the cards draws inspiration from various religious and philosophical traditions merged...

1981 Alan Tarot Deck

Alan Tarot Deck

Reprint of a Tarock pack originally designed by Argio Orell for the Austrian Lloyd shipping company....

1975 Tarot Baraja Egipcia

Tarot Baraja Egipcia

Curious Tarot with Egyptian-style trumps issued by Franco Mora Ruiz from Mexico.

2024 La Réussite (Sébastien Féraut)

La Réussite (Sébastien Féraut)

Sébastien Féraut’s designs inspired by the animal kingdom for a set promoting patience games.

2021 Le Tarot de Sète

Le Tarot de Sète

Reinterpretation of the Tarot de Marseille by Julien Labat, an artist from Sète.

2022 Oracle Rock

Oracle Rock

Cartomantic set depicting rock and pop stars, designed by La Rata, with a book by Virginie Despentes...

1994 Jeu Numismatique

Jeu Numismatique

European coins of all periods replace the traditional courts and pips.

1990 Jeu Philatélique

Jeu Philatélique

Cards with French postage stamps featuring famous literary figures.

1990 Tarot Philatélique

Tarot Philatélique

Tarot game pack with French postage stamps on all the courts, aces and trumps.

1945 Jeu Philatélique – Les Colonies Françaises

Jeu Philatélique – Les Colonies Françaises

Philatelic card game featuring real postage stamps from the French colonies.

1991 Il Tarocco del Mondo Nuovo

Il Tarocco del Mondo Nuovo

Imaginative Tarot card designs by Amerigo Folchi relating to Columbus and the New World.

1992 22 Artisti Liguri in 22 Arcani

22 Artisti Liguri in 22 Arcani

Collaborative set of major arcana devoted to Christopher Columbus and his voyages of discovery.

1975 The Tarot of Meditation – Yeager Tarot

The Tarot of Meditation – Yeager Tarot

Marty Yeager’s original Tarot of Meditation from 1975, republished later by U.S. Games Systems, Inc....

1987 Engel-Tarot

Engel-Tarot

Set of major arcana designed by Alois Hanslian depicting angels throughout.

1984 Tarot Actuel 1984

Tarot Actuel 1984

Major arcana to cut out, issued with the French magazine Actuel, using photographic images.

1865 Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse

Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse

Spanish pattern published by Eugène Boisse, Bordeaux.