Bourgeois Tarot
Bourgeois Tarot by Vereinigte Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkarten-Fabriken.
Whilst most early Tarock packs had mythological or rural scenes on the Trump cards, gradually any series of pictures became permissible on the Trumps. Fashion soon proved stronger than tradition and cardmakers competed with one another to produce the most attractive or unusual series of Trump cards. The illustrated, French-suited “Bourgeois Tarot” originated with C. L. Wüst of Frankfurt in c.1860. It was the last of the standard tarots to be used in Germany and has scenes of middle class activity on the Trumps. This pack inspired many makers including those in France and Switzerland to imitate the pattern, including the court cards, with varying degrees of artistic merit and with variations in the scenes of bourgeois life on the trumps. This pattern is more popular in France for playing games than the Tarot de Marseille.
The example shown here is by Vereinigte Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkarten-Fabriken. See also: Bourgeois Tarot by Grimaud, France
Above: cards from well-used example of Bourgeois Tarot made by Vereinigte Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkarten-Fabriken. Image courtesy Harold Langen.
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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