Piatnik “Industrie und Gluck” Tarock Cards, J. Neumayer Designs w/ Bismarck Fool Card, c.1890

Antiques : Tarot/Fortune Cards : Piatnik "Industrie Und Gluck" (Bismarck)

 

A full set of 54 tarock cards, Piatnik’s “Industrie und Gluck” tarock, with designs by J. Neumayer (IPCS “Austrian Tarock Type C”), including the Bismarck Fool card, c.1890. The reins of the Cavalier of Clubs give Neumayer’s name and the date 1890, and I have adopted that date as the date of these cards. However, the IPCS Pattern sheet for these cards, IPCS Pattern sheet 16, does note that this notation appears on decks made subsequent. Given the history of Bismarck’s demise, beginning in 1890 and accelerating until his death in 1898, my assumption is that the Bismarck Fool card was used by Piatnik in the early runs of this tarock type and then discontinued.

As noted, this set has the Fool/Joker card that depicts 19th century German Emperor Otto von Bismarck. The knife/sword at the Fool’s waist has the words “Blut u Eisen” (“Blood and Iron”), an obvious reference to Bismarck’s famous 1862 “Blood and Iron” speech. Space does not permit an extended discussion of Bismarck or the Austro-Prussian War, and I am hardly an expert on either subject, but the depiction of Bismarck on this card c.1890 was no doubt rich with significance for the Austrian people. I do not know if this Fool card is unique to “Type C” sets of the period, or could be found in other Piatnik/Austrian tarock sets. The IPCS Pattern Sheets for three types of Austrian “Industrie und Gluck” cards (Pattern Sheets 14, 15 and 16) make no mention of it, and my impression is that it is very rare.

The cards have square corners and are on thick stock. They measure 105mm x 56mm. This is a slightly smaller size than partial sets of these cards (also with Bismarck Fool card) that were previously sold in this shop.

The cards are in very good condition, without bends, creases or tears. However there is soiling to the set, most evident at the edges of the cards. The faces of all cards have been shown to assist in evaluating condition.

Reference: International Playing-Card Society “Pattern Sheet 16”

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Item ID: T00001231