Animal Tarot by Johann Jobst Forster

By the mid 18th century Tarot packs with French suit signs were being produced in France, Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Packs usually contained 78 cards with trumps displaying whatever appealed to the maker's fancy, such as popular imagery, oriental imagery, dancing, folklore or historical scenes instead of the older emblematic designs. Animal-themed Tarots were very popular in Germany and were used to play the game called Tarock.

There is a border around each card and the trumps have large Roman numerals at each end.

The Court Cards

The court cards are in Bavarian style, adapted from the French ‘Paris’ pattern with the addition of cavaliers or horsemen. The knave of clubs bears the name “Joh. Jobst Forster”.

Above: Animal Tarock by Johann Jobst Forster, Nuremberg, 18th century. 78 cards, hand-coloured woodcut, backs marbled, edges gilt, 59x110 mm. © The Trustees of the British Museum • number 1896,0501.212►

References

Beal, George: Playing Cards and Tarots, Shire Publications, 1988.

Hargrave, Catherine P.: A History of Playing Cards, Dover Publications, 1966, 2000.

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber (German 153), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 [digital version here]