Lenormand Cartomancy

Published May 31, 2011 • Updated June 26, 2023

Mlle Lenormand Cartomancy deck made by Vereinigte Stralsunder Spielkartenfabriken, Stralsund, c.1890.

Mlle Lenormand Fortune Telling cards

Mlle Lenormand Fortune Telling cards manufactured by Vereinigte Stralsunder Spielkartenfabriken, Stralsund, c.1890s. The pack has 36 cards. Identical cards were produced by V.S.S. into the 20th century. The centre of the trademark on the seven of clubs shows the coat-of-arms of Stralsund (see: wikipedia.org/wiki/Stralsund). V.S.S. used several trademarks over the time. The explanation leaflet accompanying the pack describes it as “The pack of the famous fortune-teller Mlle Lenormand in Paris”, and it is written by ‘Philippe, the heir of Mlle. Lenormand’. Packs like this (or with verses) were made by most German playing-card makers; probably best known are the two Dondorf packs.

Above & Left: Mlle Lenormand Fortune Telling cards manufactured by Vereinigte Stralsunder Spielkartenfabriken, Stralsund, c.1890. This deck has square corners, later editions had rounded corners (see example here →). Cards illustrated from the collection of Peter Endebrock.

Note: Mary Greer has shown that the earliest forerunner of the Lenormand cards is a 1796 book in English. See Mary K. Greer's Tarot Blog→

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By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.