Tarocco Neoclassico Italiano', based on an original engraved deck by Ferdinando Gumppenberg from c.1810, re-published in 1980 as a limited facsimile edition of 1500 by Edizioni del Solleone

Out Of Print! RARE!

The 78 cards are printed on uncoated stock which looks and feels great and were based on an Italian deck by Ferdinando Gumppenberg which dated from approximately 1810.

The figures are delicately engraved and fit comfortably within the confined space of a playing card, each one set within an ornamental border. The pip cards use arrangements and iconography reminiscent of engraved Spanish decks from the same period, without intercrossing swords and batons. The ace of swords carries the tax stamp valid from 1807 to 1816. Gumppenberg was inspired by the work of the Spanish engraver Clemente Roxas of Madrid. Here and there the designs depart from traditional tarot images. For example, the Lovers card depicts a woman in between two men, instead of the other way round.

Nicely coloured images with finely engraved beaded borders on each card, complete with fold out instruction leaflet in Italian.

Gumppenberg published several new decks by well-known artists or engravers of the day. The designs are clear and well-engraved, in the style of the revival of antiquity, and preserving the symbolic intensity of the Tarot, but adding new nuances. Delicate borders and calligraphic inscriptions inspired by neoclassical art complement the drawings and colouring in this fine historic deck.

In 1984 as a second edition of 999, under the direction of Vito Arienti.The same original cards were also re-published by Lo Scarabeo as: 'Antichi Tarocci Lombardi' in 1995 and by Edition Fabbri, France, in 2003. Images courtesy Rod Starling.

Tarocco Neoclassico Italiano Tarot by Edizioni Solleone Published in Italy 1980

Numbered Limited Edition #/1500

Does not come with instructions. Card Size: 4 1/4" x 2 1/4" Inches

Designer(s), Artist(s): Ferdinando Gumppenberg in Italy

Produced on a narrow, un-laminated card stock in a limited edition of 1500 copies.