Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed to the Trustees of the British museum by the late Lady Charlotte Schreiber.

140

CATALOGUEE OF~i CARDS.

374. "Gluck zu! oder der Weg zum Gliick-La Fortune vous
rit." A set of six engraved and coloured cards, representing
respectively a traveller, a prince, a merchant, a peasant, an artist
and a soldier, each with four German lines. They are accompanied
by an engraved plan and printed directions in German and
French. In green pasteboard case which bears the above title.
3 x 21 in.
375. Twelve engraved and coloured cards, forming part of a game;
each representing a knight on horseback, with title below in
German and French, as "Der Gold-Ritter," "Der Ungliicksritter," etc. In the upper corners are symbolical devices, a cross,
a sword, a ring, etc. Backs mottled red.
41 x 3 in.
376. A single card, with figure of a fool in cap and bells.
Uncoloured. Back plain.
31 x 21 in.
377. Counter cards; 18th century. Pack of 30, each having in the
upper part a number in red ink (100-12000), and in the lower a
row of five minute playing cards, which are in every instance the
same, viz., the king, queen, ace, 4 and 5 of clubs. In leathercovered case.
1- x 28 in.
378. Counters. A leather-covered pasteboard case, enclosing four
pasteboard boxes which contain bone counters, some fish-shaped.
379. Nine plates of fashionable headdresses for ladies; engraved by D. Chodowiecki, E. Riepenhausen, etc., as illustrations
to calendars.
SWISS.
The old national cards of Switzerland bear a general resemblance to
those of Germany, from which they are derived; but two of the suits are
altered, shields and flowers being substituted for hearts and leaves. The
packs made at and near Schaffhausen usually consist of 36 cards, each
suit being composed of ace, 6-9, two knaves and king; those made in the
neighbourhood of Soleure of 48, the threes, fours and fives being added.
Except in some modern instances, Swiss tarot packs have Italian suitmarks and French titles, and are identical in subject and general design
with those of northern Italy and eastern France, but the figures on the
court cards are frequently given native costumes.