Cartomancy deck by Johann Ernst Backofen

Published January 14, 2024 • Updated January 14, 2024

German-suited Cartomancy deck published by Johann Ernst Backofen, Nürnberg.

A fine 36-card Cartomancy deck with emblematical figures on both the court and pip cards engraved by J. Wolf and published by Johann Ernst Backofen, Nürnberg, early 19th century. The titles are printed at the bottom of each card in German and French; those on the four deuces are “Freude", “Glück", “Unglück" and “Hoffnung". The tablet on the 7 of hearts is lettered “Joh. Ernst Backofen in Nürnberg S. No. 760” and the drapery on the 6 of acorns bears the engraver’s name “J. Wolf sc.”

Cartomancy deck published by Johann Ernst Backofen, Nürnberg. © The Trustees of the British Museum

Above: cards from a 36-card Cartomancy deck engraved by J. Wolf and published by Johann Ernst Backofen, Nürnberg, early 19th century. Hand-coloured etching, backs printed with a diagonal blue pattern. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number 1896,0501.320►

Further References

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber (German 32), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 [digital version here]

A pack with similar subjects produced by Leipzig Industrie Comptoir can be viewed here and also at the British Museum (Schreiber German 19): Museum number 1896,0501.281►

Two uncut, uncoloured sheets are also preserved in the British Museum • Museum numbers 1883,1110.127 and 1883,1110.128►

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Cartomancy deck by Johann Ernst Backofen

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