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

ITALIAN CARDS.

1

1-78, and each has its value stated in words, with a fortune-telling
word or sentence at top and bottom. No. 1 is "Bagatto, L'uomo
che consulta." Backs decorated with a small formal pattern in
blue.
41 x 21 in.
(b.) Packs of 62 for Tarocchino.
33. Bologna; G. Natali, " al Cigno," early 19th century. Imperfect
pack of 56, double-ended. The knave of swords holds a shield
inscribed with the initials G. N., and on the 10 of coins is " Alla
Insegna del Cigno." The missing cards are:-the 6 of cups, the
ace of swords, the 8 of coins, the 10 of clubs, and Nos. IX, X and
XIV of the atutti; but for the ace of swords has been substituted
an ace of coins, which takes the form of a duty stamp bearing
the words, "Asso di Denari, Baj. 5, R. C. A." Backs decorated
with a double-ended uncoloured design of a man and woman
seated back to back.
41 x 21 in.
34. Bologna; G. M. Complete pack, from the same designs as the
last. The shield held by the knave of swords bears the initials
G. M. The ace of coins is a duty card identical with that substituted for the ace of swords in the preceding pack. Backs
decorated with a figure of Fortune in blue.
41 x 21 in.
35. Bologna. Imperfect pack of 61, from the same designs as the
preceding, with the exception of the ace of coins, which is a
medallion head, with a running hare above. The shield held by
the knave of swords is blank. The missing card is the queen of
coins. Backs decorated with a pattern of circles and diamonds,
in black.
48 x 21 in.
36. Bologna. Fifteen cards of precisely similar character to No. 35,
but drawn from four different packs, as is shown by the decoration
of the backs. They are:-the 8, 9, 10 and knave of cups; the
knight of swords; the queen of coins; the knave and 6 of clubs;
and atutti, Nos. II, III, VI, XIII, XV, XXI and XXII. The
backs of eleven of the cards have a double-ended decoration, a
woman playing the triangle.
41 x 21 in.
37. Bologna; "al Mondo"; 18th century. Complete pack. The queens
of coins and clubs bear the arms of Bentivoglio and Tibbia respectively; and the knaves of clubs and swords hold shields