Duche de Parme

Extremely rare playing card published in Parma in 1790 (but engraved in Rome by Marco di Pietro).

The map is part of the 'Geography of Europe' set of playing cards. The only known set of this cards was inn the British Museum (now British Library) in the collection of Lady Charlotte Schreiber.

The late Lady Charlotte Schreiber formed during her lifetime an extensive collection of the Playing-Cards of various countries

Geography of Europe; Parma, 1790. Imperfect pack of 77, each being a map of some part of Europe. It is arranged to be used for the tarocchi game, but the five divisions, cups, swords, coins, clubs, and atutti, are indicated only by borders of five different colours, brown, red, green, yellow, and blue. The first
is devoted to Italy, the second to Germany, Switzerland, and the Low Countries, the third to France, the fourth to Spain and Portugal, and the fifth to the rest of Europe. The " Explication du Jeu," which takes the place of Matto, bears the engraver's name, " Gr. par Marco di Pietro a Rome," and No. XXI of the
atutti, which is a " Mappe-monde," is inscribed " Pour le Royal College des Nobles de Parme." Inscriptions all in French. Backs decorated with the arms of Parma.

Copperplate with original colour, very good condition.