"Curiosa Very Rare Meeting Of 36 Erotic Playing Cards By Transparency 19th C."
[CURIOSA] - Erotic playing cards by transparency - 36 cards (86 x 56 mm each) with white back, circa 1830-60. Slight marginal stains and browning (these cards were looked at by candlelight in the 19th century!), a corner of the 6 of hearts damaged, nice set. Rare set of 36 stencilled playing cards, including 10 full-length portraits, from a deck of 52 cards. Each of these cards hides an erotic – even pornographic – scene revealed when the card is placed on a light source, the portrait cards reusing the figure of the card in the erotic scene. The game is made up of: - 11 diamonds (ace, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, king) - 8 clubs (ace, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, jack, king) - 8 hearts (ace, 6, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king) - 9 spades (ace, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king) These games were often found in brothels and other places of pleasure. Complete copies are extremely rare these days.