The New Game of Tarot (or Tarock)

Heraclio Fournier decided to commemorate 600 years of playing cards in Europe (1377-1977) by issuing this French-suited Tarot game pack with an alpine flavour. The court cards feature 19th century regional costumes from Italy (S), Austria (H), France (D), and Switzerland (C), while most of the trump cards have photographic images of alpine flora. All the designs are double-ended. The artist or designer is not mentioned by name. Strangely, although the indices are in French, the game rules are in English. The old confusion between Tarot and Tarock is perpetuated here, as the first appears on the title card while the second is used on the box and on the leaflet with the rules. The title of the pack – ‘Nuevo Juego del Tarot’ or ‘The New Game of Tarot’ – is rather odd, given the long history of Tarot, but presumably Heraclio Fournier are referring to the fact that this pack has completely new designs.

Above: ‘The New Game of Tarot’ made by Heraclio Fournier, S.A., Vitoria, Spain, 1977. 78 cards + 2 (double-sided) title cards + rules in English, in drop-lid box. Size: 60 x 110 mm.

• See the box►

• See the leaflet►

• See the title cards►