Urbino playing cards begin 17th century
Posted: 12 Dec 2011, 03:40
A Dr Giuliano Donino found some playing cards c. 1975 "amongst a heap of rubble thrown out by the stonemasons working at the Palazzo Ducale" in Urbino. A friend of Dr Donino, Prof. Mariani, told this to Alberto Milano, playing card researcher, and Mr. Milano inspected the finding. Alberto Milano published an article in IPCS 25/6, p. 207.
The part of the palazzo, at which the stone workers worked (near the appartement of the duchess), had been made begin of 17th century. There were also "leather, colour-fabricated shoes" and "peaces of wooden comb" and "small leather-covered balls, such as could be used in a game" near the playing cards.
Totally there are 11 fragments of cards, and 5 of them were complete at back and face: Bastoni 2 and 6, 3 of coppe, 3 of spade and an Ace of denari. Three of the backs are identical.
Back of card
Backs of cards
Faces of cards
The part of the palazzo, at which the stone workers worked (near the appartement of the duchess), had been made begin of 17th century. There were also "leather, colour-fabricated shoes" and "peaces of wooden comb" and "small leather-covered balls, such as could be used in a game" near the playing cards.
Totally there are 11 fragments of cards, and 5 of them were complete at back and face: Bastoni 2 and 6, 3 of coppe, 3 of spade and an Ace of denari. Three of the backs are identical.
Back of card
Backs of cards
Faces of cards