Tarocco Piemontese by Giovanni Rossi
18th c. Piedmont Tarocchi by Giovanni Rossi, Turin.
An Italian-suited 78-card, single-ended Piemontese tarot pack produced by Giovanni Rossi, Turin, containing four suits of 14 (ace, king, queen, knight, jack and 2-10) plus 22 trumps. No turnover edges.
The courts and numeral cards
An inscription on the font-like ace of cups reads “Rossi Torino” on the 2 “Fabrica di Rossi in Torino”. On the aces of swords and clubs can be read “Rossi Gioni. conda. [?contra] dei Peliciai Porta No. 8 Torino”, and on the ace of coins “Rossi”. The names of the court cards and trumps are in Italian. The coins numeral cards (danari) have their values in the centre of each coin.
Above: Piedmont Tarot by Giovanni Rossi, Turin. 78 cards, hand-coloured woodcuts, backs printed with a check pattern in blue and white. 18th c. In original leather box lined with decorative paper. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number 1896,0501.4►
See the leather case►
References
O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, (Italian 21), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 [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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