The other day I came across this set and decided to scan it and share it with whomever might be interested. It's an original Mlle. Le Normand tarot deck that was published by Charles Magnus Publishing Company - I believe around 1840 or so. I haven't really been able to find much info on this specific edition. I guess you can buy a brand new reproduction of this deck just about anywhere these days - but this original one seems kinda rare.
Here's some examples of the deck - which are lithographed cardboard cards that are really interesting. I've never seen a tarot deck like this one. But then again I've really only seen a few tarot decks in my life.
Three of the heart cards have upside down hearts in the upper left corner. Funny.
And there are these star cards that are also the Aces. I don't know what that weird pencil-looking mark is there next to the star. I didn't do it.
And there are these two elaborately drawn lady and man cards that are really cool.
The deck came with a few inserts, including an instruction sheet and 86 page booklet that describes how to use the deck and what all the cards mean.
As you can see by the instruction sheet the card layout is a bit complicated and the instructions pretty vague - so if you are interested in actually using this deck I suggest checking out some additional instructions online.
Anywho...I scanned the whole thing - 54 card deck, 86 page book, instruction sheet in English and German, and an advertisement sheet for additional Charles Magnus products - at 300 dpi and cropped it all nice and neat and put it all in a zip file here for you.
Download Here
Have fun!
Very interested in the Le Normand cards. I am completing a study of Charles Magnus and want to find out all I can about him. Magnus was at his Chambers Street, NYC, address from 1887-1899; he died a year later at the age of 74. He advertised the Le Normand cards in a circular, but until finding your online images and description, I had never seen them, their box, etc. Is there any chance I could use an image or two in my Magnus book? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRich McKinstry
ermcki@winterthur.org
In the 1980s there were Mlle Le Normand decks available from the usual US Game Systems (the same company that makes the AE Waite Deck and practically all the other common fortune telling decks), however, I don't remember the cards having these designs. This deck seems to be pretty unique.
ReplyDeleteThank you, FPC!
By the way, where is your recipe for the dough to make the Indian triangular things that you can stuff with potato and stuff (samosas, pakoras, whatever -- tough to look it up when I can't remember the name)??? It seems you like to simplify those Indian recipes, which sounds terrific to me.
We have had entire waves of Pakistanis and Bengalis coming to NY, so it has been no trouble to get Indian spices, and things like Mango Pickle.
yeah - i think this edition of the deck is pretty rare. there's really not much info about it out there.
Deleteand as far as the potato thing - they are called samosas and i have one post where i have my recipe for the filling (as well as some other indian recipes)
http://craftypantscarol.blogspot.com/2012/07/dosas-pakoras-potatoes-and-chutneys.html
and i have another post with the recipe i use for the dough - but with different fillings
http://craftypantscarol.blogspot.com/2012/07/pizza-samosas.html
i hope you like them!!