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Cotta Transformation playing cards

Published January 13, 2014 Updated July 29, 2023

In 1804, J.G. Cotta, a publisher and bookseller in Tübingen, Germany, produced the first set of transformation cards that was published as an actual deck of playing cards.

1804 Germany Cotta History Transformation

Cotta Transformation playing cards, 1804

In 1804, J. G. Cotta, a publisher and bookseller in Tübingen, Germany, produced the first set of transformation cards that was published as an actual deck of playing cards, designed by Charlotte von Jennison-Walworth. The court cards depict characters from Friedrich von Schiller's tragedy Die Jungfrau von Orleans (The Maid of Orleans) but the transformed pip cards are unrelated. This art form probably began as a parlour game in late 18th century England for the entertainment of ladies and gentlemen, but since then transformation cards have become one of the most popular fantasy creations in playing cards and often showcase a high level of creative art and skill. You can play it yourself at home... take a piece of card and mark five or six suit symbols, then players must create a figure from these...

Cotta's Transformation playing cards, first published in Tübingen, Germany, in 1804

Above: Cotta's Transformation playing cards, first published in Tübingen, Germany, in 1804. These decks were published as almanacs, each card corresponding to one of the 52 weeks of the year. Cards shown here are from the facsimile edition published by Baptiste-Paul Grimaud (France-Cartes) in 1984. 52 cards + extra card in presentation box.

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By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.

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