my playing card collection
Transformation #2: J.G. Cotta, Tübingen
Maker:
Country:
Artist:
Year:
Type:
Suit:
Pattern:
My ref:
The Fournier Museum, Alava
Spain
Countess Jenison-Walworth
1806 (2004 reprint)
52 cards
French
Transformation
#13
The design is attributed to a Countess von Jenison-Walworth. Some accounts say Charlotte. The mother of Count Franz II von Jenison-Walworth, from Heidleburg, (1764-1821) was Charlotte (Lady C. Smith) but she died in 1803. Franz's first wife was also Charlotte von Cornet (b. 1766) and she may be the designer but I don't think she was.
I believe the illustrator was the second wife of Count Franz II von Jenison-Walworth, Mary Day Beauclerc, an Englishwoman.
They were married in 1797 in Heidleberg and she lived in Germany at the time the cards were published in 1805. Mary's mother was a well known artist in England with an artistic style not dissimilar to that on the cards and I have found reference to Mary being an artist also.
Mary led a very interesting and extremely colourful life so if you are interested, more information on the Countess Mary Day Jenison-Walworth can be found here...
The eight of diamonds
See here for more playing cards from my collection designed by the Countess, and dated 1805.
The court cards feature persons from Greek, Roman and biblical roots. Some are mythical and some historical.
Diamonds:
Agammemnon - from Greek mythology
Orestes - son of Agammemnon
Agrippa -Roman emperor Nero's mother, sister of Caligula
Hearts:
Ulysses- from Greek mythology
Iphigenie - daughter of Agammemnon
Mardochie - could be Mordecai from the bible
Clubs:
Pirrhus - King of Epiros in Greece
Ester - from the Bible
Arcas -son of Zeus of Greek mythology
Spades:
Alssuerus - from the Bible
Andromaque - wife of Hector of Greek mythology
Burrhus - a Roman general under Claudius and Nero.
A personal favourite - the witch on a broom stick!
