Dondorf Tarot

1 • 2 • 3

Dondorf's “Microscopique Tarock“, the one and only tarot produced by Dondorf, was first published in c.1870 as a lithographic print hand-coloured using stencils and cut with square corners. Later editions had rounded corners and (as shown here) were printed by chromolithography. The trump cards were numbered, usually in Arabic numerals but in some versions Roman numerals are found. The scenes portrayed at each end of these trump cards are marvels of miniature graphic artwork and printing, at which this manufacturer excelled. After trump no. 1 (Juggler) the next four cards depict arts and crafts treasures from the four countries (Germany, Russia, France & England), which are again represented as typical occupations in the next four cards (6-9), then four noble women and men (10 to 13), four cards with scenes from society: family, hunting, gallantry (14 to 17), and finally four cards (18 to 21) with courtly scenes.   See also:  The Four Aces • The Court Cards.

Above: eight trump cards from chromolithographic edition of Dondorf's “Microscopique Tarock“, rounded corners, c.1905-33.   Below: the same cards reversed, showing the different scenes at each end. Images courtesy Barney Townshend.

Above:  After No. 1 (Juggler) four cards follow depicting arts and crafts treasures from the four countries, which are again invoked in the next four cards (6-9), then four noble women and men (10 to 13), four cards with scenes from society: family, hunting, gallantry (14 to 17), and four cards (18 to 21) with courtly scenes.   See also:  The Four Aces • The Court Cards.

Supplement from Marek Brejcha

One of the variants of Microscopique Tarock from Dondorf is the version produced under the designation No.346. The images corresponds to the standard design, but the use of Roman numerals follows the Central European tradition. The so-called Austrian tarot decks still use Roman numerals. The deck contains 54 cards with the corresponding layout. Aces (shown only in hearts and diamonds) are plain, without any other graphic embellishment. I also add an example of the pip cards.

The manufacturer, according to the information available to me, should have produced this deck in the years 1913 - 1933. The company B.Dondorf GmbH, Frankfurt ceased operations in 1933, after the Nazis came to power. The tax stamp shown on the ace of hearts was used in Germany between 1936 and 1939. The timing of the tax stamp is not conclusive information about the time of creation of the cards; there may have been secondary stamping of previously produced decks - MB.

Reference

• History of B. Dondorf, Frankfurt►