Animal Tarot by Joseph Fetscher

This French-suited Natural History Tarot deck by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, has two different designs, chiefly natural history subjects, on each trump card which could have educational value as well as for playing games. Trump II has the arms of Bavaria and a figure of Fame with the legend "Joseph Fetscher B. Karten Fabricant in München in der Burggase". The 16 court cards - king, queen, cavalier and knave in each suit - are also double-ended.

French-suited tarots (or tarock) reflect different preferences or customs from state to state with regard to the imagery of the trump cards. In this example animals have replaced the traditional Italian-derived tarot allegories.

Above: French-suited Natural History Tarot deck by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1820. 78 double-ended cards, hand-coloured woodcut, backs printed with a small blue pattern. There is an 8 Kreuzer tax stamp on the ace of hearts which was in use in Bayern (Bavaria) from c.1816 to 1826. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number 1896,0501.168►

Further References

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber (German 135), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 [digital version here]

Endebrock, Peter: playing-card pages: Tax Stamps from German States►

Another Animal tarot with mainly natural history topics on the trumps produced by Joseph Fetscher can be viewed at the British Museum number 1896,0501.169►