Playing cards--Animal tarock

78 cards, each 110 x 58mm., engraved with stencilled colour, patterned versos, 12 mounted in a frame together with the original printed wrapper, the rest in a folder attached the back of the frame, the Russian tax stamp printed on the wrapper, Polish tax stamp on the ace of hearts, imprint on the knave of diamonds, wrapper chipped and frayed

The Stuart and Marilyn R. Kaplan Collection, sale, Christie's New York, 21 June 2006, lot 114

Ortiz-Patiño 155; cf. Schreiber, Polish 1 (a set of 36 cards by DuPort, also with both tax stamps)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A rare set of Polish playing cards. The Russian tax stamp and the device of the Russian state monopoly on the wrapper indicate that these cards were produced when Poland was under Russian rule, though the cards themselves depict Jan Sobieski and Stanislaus Poniatowski, both kings of Poland before the partition of Poland.

DuPort, a French card maker, established the main card manufactory in Poland in 1780. The style of these tarot cards, containing animals both real and legendary, are in the style of cards made by Andreas Benedictus Gobl of Munich.