French Cartomancy cards, c.1830

Cartomancy was a popular practice in early 19th century Paris, but its social status varied. It was both widely sought after and also subject to skepticism. Each card in this pack has a figure or group of people in representations of everyday situations, reflecting social and artistic trends of the time. Included are some allegoric scenes, such as Death, Hope, Love or Victory. Many cards include landscape and scenery. A miniature card in the upper left corner gives additional value or cartomantic meaning. The cards are numbered in pen and ink throughout 1-52, without reference to the suits on the miniature cards. No. 1 (the 6 of hearts) is "L'Amour", and No. 52 (the 5 of clubs) "Victoire".

Since these cards were used for fortune-telling and divination, their meanings were often subjective and open to the interpretation of the reader. The card titles include : Reconciliation, voyage, pleasure, a letter, gossip, wealth, hope, gift, poverty, enemies, flattery, country estate, town house, surprise, blonde woman, marriage, love, etc.

Above: French Cartomancy cards, 52 cards, hand-coloured lithograph, backs printed with a plaid pattern, published by J. Gaudais; printed by Mansion, Paris, c.1830. Mansion's name is on every card, and Gaudais' on some of them. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Cartomancy cards, Paris, c.1830►

References

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 (French 103) [digital version here]