Dondorf Tarot Aces
The four suits are associated with four countries: Clubs = Germany, Diamonds = UK, Spades = Russia and Hearts = France.
Dondorf Tarot Microscopique ~ 4 Aces 1 • 2 • 3
B. Dondorf (1833-1933), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Dondorf's “Microscopique Tarock“ was first published in c.1870, but the example shown here was produced sometime between 1923 to 1929. The four suits are associated with four countries: Clubs = Germany, Diamonds = UK, Spades = Russia and Hearts = France. Each pictorial Ace shows two nationally symbolic buildings from each country. The court cards (shown on next page) follow the same format.
Above: the “Deutsches Reich” tax stamp on the Ace of Hearts was used during the period 1923 to 1929. The Nr.2 refers to the regional tax office in Frankfurt/Main.
Above: the back design and the unnumbered trump card 'Excuse' as a harlequin. Images courtesy Barney Townshend.
By Barney Townshend
Member since October 06, 2015
View ArticlesRetired Airline Pilot, interested in: Transformation Playing Cards, Karl Gerich and Elaine Lewis. Secretary of the EPCS. Treasurer of the IPCS.
Leave a Reply
Recommended
My Fair Lady
Theatre programme in the form of a pack of cards. East Germany, c.1967.
German hunting pack by Theodor Wegener
Hunters, animals and birds feature on all but the Kings in this pack by Theodor Wegener, c.1863-70.
Dondorf related ephemera
A few items used for advertising or displaying Dondorf playing card products.
C.L.Wüst Poster Stamps
A set of advertising poster stamps for C.L.Wüst playing cards.
Miniature Theatre playing cards
Miniature playing cards, possibly for children, with a romantic theatrical theme. C.L. Wüst c.1890.
A miniature theatrical pack of playing cards, Germany? c.1900
This miniature pack is very similar to one made by C.L.Wúst in c.1890.
Playing cards for the Bombay Market
An interesting pack of playing cards with illustrated Indian aces made "Specially for the Bombay Market", c.1915.
The Kiss, 1808
‘Aphorisms on the Kiss’ published by C. A. Solbrig, Leipzig, 1808.
Wüst Spanish pattern
Wüst Spanish pattern c.1910 advertising Cuban ‘Tropical’ beer.
Anonymous possibly Kaspar Traugott Knaut.
The maker is possibly Kaspar Traugott Knaut (1799-1881).
Schweizer Trachten
Schweizer Trachten No.174 (Costumes Suisses) by Dondorf.
History of Playing Cards explained in 5 Minutes
Video by Art of Impossible. In this video you will get a short overview of the most important historical facts about playing cards and their history.
J. W. Spear and Sons
Jacob Wolfe Spear founded his company manufacturing fancy goods in 1879 near Nuremberg in Bavaria, Germany
Andere Zeiten - Andere Kleider
‘History of fashion’ cultural quartet game designed by Erika Werner-Nestler, 1954.
The ‘Rinker’ Snap
The ‘Rinker’ highly amusing snap game, c.1910.
Geschichte des Buchgewerbes
Geschichte des Buchgewerbes illustrated by Ludwig Winkler, published by Verlag für Lehrmittel Pößneck.
So Fängt Es An
“So Fängt Es An” beautifully illustrated by M. Neugebauer, published by Helingsche Verlagsanstalt, c.1950.
Verkehrsmittel Einst und Jetzt
“Verkehrsmittel Einst und Jetzt” transport quartet game by Bielefelder Spielkarten Fabrik GmbH, 1958.
Asterix Abenteuer
Asterix Adventure quartet game by ASS, 1989.
Tout Est Bien Qui Finit Bien
‘Tout Est Bien Qui Finit Bien’ family card game by Dondorf.
Zwarte Piet
Zwarte Piet by Dondorf for the Dutch market, 1906.
Gulliver im Land der Zwerge
Gulliver in the Land of Dwarfs quartet published by Verlag für Lehrmittel, Pößneck.
Bass & Bass Jeu des Familles
Bass & Bass ‘Jeu des Familles’ made by Franz-Josef Holler, Münich, 1989.
Bedeutende Erfindungen im Alltag
‘Significant Inventions in Everyday Life’ quartet game published by Verlag für Lehrmittel, Pössneck, 1979.
“Deck with French suits”
A facsimile of an early 19th century French-suited deck from the collection of F.X. Schmid.
Geschichte des Motorrades
History of Motorcycles quartet published by Verlag für Lehrmittel Pößneck, 1989.
Loriot Rummy
Delightful comical deck designed by Loriot, the German cartoonist and comedian, 1973.
Kaffeehaus-Pikett
Kaffeehaus-Pikett featuring the old Viennese Large Crown pattern, made by ASS.
Musikinstrumente
Musikinstrumente quartet game published by Verlag für Lehrmittel, Pössneck, 1984.
Seefahrers II
‘Seefahrers’ maritime deck designed by Klaus Ensikat for Deutsche Seereederei Rostock, GDR.
Darling
Darling pin-up playing cards designed by Heinz Villiger, c.1950s-60s.
Sprookjes Kwartet
Fairy Tales quartet published by Heinrich Schwarz + Co for Dutch market, c.1970.
Einhorn
‘Einhorn’ designed by Richard König, c.1986.
Renovation 2.000
Renovation 2.000 playing cards with special courts designed by Jean Hoffmann.
Märchen-Quartett
Fairy Tales quartet game by F.X. Schmid, Munich, 1960.
Deutsche Nutzpflanzen
Deutsche Nutzpflanzen - Quartett game promoting Kali brand crop fertilizer, 1938.
Märchen-Quartett
Märchen-Quartett (Fairy Tales) illustrated by J. P. Werth and published by J. W. Spear & Söhne, c.1915.
One Penny Games
One Penny Card Games, 1920s.
One Penny Games 2
One Penny Card Games, 1900-1910, mostly anonymous 'Snap' games and made in Germany.
Schwarzer Peter Der Wald und seine Leute
Schwarzer Peter the Forest and its People, illustrated by Liesel Lauterborn, 1955.