Tarot of Musterberg
Designed by Cesare Asaro to simulate decks from the 1700s or earlier, the Tarot of Musterberg is based on the traditional Tarot de Marseille but with an imaginary historical background.
Created by Curio & Co., purveyors of products based on fictional history
Rather than based on ancient mysteries, elite occultism or New Age spirituality, Cesare Asaro created the Tarot of Musterberg in an alternate, imaginary setting simulating decks from the 1700s or earlier and evoking the power of nostalgia. These are the tarot cards which our grandmother might have used, recalling an imaginary past, discovered hidden in the attic. Inspired by the traditional Tarot de Marseille, together with wear and tear on the back of each card, this entertaining 79 card deck has extra nuances in the iconography including a 23rd trump card: the Siren. The deck is printed on acid free paper (to give the closest feeling of holding original cards from the period) in a small production run and comes complete with an instruction booklet and light-hearted cartomancy guide.
Above: the ‘Tarot of Musterberg’ for card games and cartomancy, 79 cards in box, designed and created by Cesare Asaro of Curio & Co.→
By Simon Wintle
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.
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