Animal Tarot by J. B Dubois
French-suited Bavarian Animal Tarot by J B Dubois, Liège, Belgium, late 18th C.
French-suited Bavarian Animal Tarot by J B Dubois, Liège, Belgium. Trump no.I has the legend “Cartes Finnes faites par J. B. Dubois demeurant derrier la Maison de Ville a Liège”.
The Court Cards
The court cards are of the Bavarian type. The knave of clubs has the maker’s name “J. B. Dubois”. The knave of diamonds holds a halberd with the initials “J K H”, the knave of hearts holds a halberd with the initial “J”, and the knave of spades’ halberd has the initial “E” which is a reference to I. B. Eberhard of Frankfurt, whose woodblocks were re-used.


Above: French-suited Animal Tarot by J B Dubois, Liège; 18th C. Hand-coloured woodcut; backs printed with a check pattern in red and white; size = 109x59 mm. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number 1896,0501.757►
• See also: Animal Tarot by J.T Dubois►
References
Cremers, Filip: Kaartenmakers in Wallonië - Cartiers en Wallonie, Nationaal Museum van de Speelkaart, Turnhout, 1994
O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 (Flemish 7) [digital version here]

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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