Museo Cospiano (1677)
Posted: 23 Jun 2013, 21:09
http://books.google.it/books?id=CgJCAAAAcAAJ
A book printed in 1677 (“Museo Cospiano annesso a quello del famoso Ulisse Aldrovandi”) comments on a number of different card games. At p. 304, Boiardo's tarot game is described. The author correctly notes that the game is at least 170 years old. Apparently, the fact the cards had been invented by Boaiardo was not known to the authors of the book.
At p.305 a French “deck of moral cards” is described. Apparently, in this XVI century deck, the four suits correspond to four Latin poets: Horatius, Seneca, Plautus and Ovid.
A few decks by Jean Des Marests and Stefano della Bella are described (see http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k575122.pdf)
At p. 307: Tarot cards: used in Bologna 170 years ago and more, as proven by the backs of the cards, in which the device of the Bentivoglio is displayed, as they used at that time, when they had the authority of Princes, i.e. with a red saw, and nothing else on the shield, and a panther above the crest, with their motto “FIDES, ET AMOR” [faith and love]. These cards are much larger than the ordinary ones, and painted with many colors. This game requires more thought than luck, but the sacred figures, such as that of the Pope, do not fit well in it: they should not appear in a game. Even the unorthodox are scandalized by such an abuse.
Also at p.307, the Mitelli tarocchino deck is described. The author writes that the deck was printed in Rome as a work by Annibale Carracci.
A book printed in 1677 (“Museo Cospiano annesso a quello del famoso Ulisse Aldrovandi”) comments on a number of different card games. At p. 304, Boiardo's tarot game is described. The author correctly notes that the game is at least 170 years old. Apparently, the fact the cards had been invented by Boaiardo was not known to the authors of the book.
At p.305 a French “deck of moral cards” is described. Apparently, in this XVI century deck, the four suits correspond to four Latin poets: Horatius, Seneca, Plautus and Ovid.
A few decks by Jean Des Marests and Stefano della Bella are described (see http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k575122.pdf)
At p. 307: Tarot cards: used in Bologna 170 years ago and more, as proven by the backs of the cards, in which the device of the Bentivoglio is displayed, as they used at that time, when they had the authority of Princes, i.e. with a red saw, and nothing else on the shield, and a panther above the crest, with their motto “FIDES, ET AMOR” [faith and love]. These cards are much larger than the ordinary ones, and painted with many colors. This game requires more thought than luck, but the sacred figures, such as that of the Pope, do not fit well in it: they should not appear in a game. Even the unorthodox are scandalized by such an abuse.
Also at p.307, the Mitelli tarocchino deck is described. The author writes that the deck was printed in Rome as a work by Annibale Carracci.