Possible early astrological playing cards

Published March 24, 2023 Updated April 14, 2023

Two early woodcuts that I believe to be playing cards.

AstrologyEphemeraMedievalMyths & Legends

I am Zachary Fisher, a collector of woodcuts.

As an Atolycus, I am a "snapper up of unconsidered [Ebay] trifles," so when these two small unidentified woodcuts, both 59 x 38 mm, came up for $50 as a pair and I couldn't pass them up. They've intrigued me ever since. One is almost certainly Mercury and the other is most likely Zeus, but beyond that, I'm at a loss.

The problem is that I've not gotten closer to identifying them in the two years since I've had them. My initial hunch was that they were fifteenth or sixteen century Italian cards, but that is based on little more than a gut feeling and some resemblances in style to the period. They have no watermarks or anything I can use to identify them.

I was wondering if anyone in the playing card community could get me closer to getting a rough idea of when and where they were made.

Two early woodcuts that I believe to be playing cards

Above: both cards measure 59 x 38 mm. No watermarks or anything else to help identify. Plain backs.

avatar
1 Article

By Zachary Fisher

Member since March 23, 2023 • Contact

I'm Zachary Fisher, a collector of woodcuts.

Related Articles

1990 Phone and smart cards

Phone and smart cards

Phonecards with playing card designs.

2019 Marie and Laurent’s Wedding

Marie and Laurent’s Wedding

Wedding invitation and thank you card in the form of playing cards. France, 2019.

1927 Middle Ages

Middle Ages

Middle Ages by Germano & Cª, (Litografia Maia),

1932 Leather Card Case Patent Application

Leather Card Case Patent Application

In 1932, a patent was granted to Colin Hart and George Franklin for a leather case in the form of a ...

Pantheon or Heathen Mythology

Pantheon or Heathen Mythology

Pantheon or Heathen Mythology cards for instruction of youth, c.1770.

La Baraja

La Baraja

Anonymous “La Baraja” Spanish deck, c.2005.

1900 47: Welch’s postcards and De La Rue’s redrawing

47: Welch’s postcards and De La Rue’s redrawing

There are a number of court card designs that have never actually been produced as cards. It's a sha...

Iceland Mythological Playing Cards

Iceland Mythological Playing Cards

Iceland Mythological Playing Cards designed by Sigurlinna Pétursson, 1958

2002 Pathfinder Playing Cards

Pathfinder Playing Cards

The Pathfinder deck of cards has been inspired by Odin, the Norse god of wisdom, war and death.

2011 Battle of Grunwald

Battle of Grunwald

Medieval style playing cards commemorating the Battle of Grunwald (1410), designed and published by ...

Music Manuscripts

Music Manuscripts

Artwork featuring playing cards in Music Manuscripts

1899 Grand Jeu Lenormand

Grand Jeu Lenormand

Chaotic Grandeur in a collage of astrology, folklore and mythology from Parisian salons.

1828 Hodges’ Constellations

Hodges’ Constellations

Hodges’ pack dealing with astronomy had numeral cards carrying diagrams of constellations and their ...

1934 De Reszke Cigarettes “What the Stars Say”

De Reszke Cigarettes “What the Stars Say”

De Reszke Cigarettes “What the Stars Say” astrology cards issued by J. Milhoff & Co., 1934.

Draughts League Medals

Draughts League Medals

Arthur Charles Prince worked for De la Rue as a playing card cutter and later was promoted to superv...

1828 Charles Hodges

Charles Hodges

Charles Hodges produced engraved geographical and astronomical decks, London, c.1827-30.

Pope Joan Trays

Pope Joan Trays

Some traditional Pope Joan boards comprise a circular tray, others are square, divided into sections...

1989 Zodiac Bridge

Zodiac Bridge

Zodiac Bridge was designed by René Marcel Rivière and printed by AGM Müller in c.1989. A different s...

Hunting Depicted on Playing Cards

Hunting Depicted on Playing Cards

In the Middle Ages hunting was an integral part of life.

Playing Cards in other cards

Playing Cards in other cards

Secondary applications of playing cards.