c.1890 Tarot Chinois B.P. Grimaud

c.1890 Grimaud Chinois Tarot Ancien with Merpeople
78/78 cards, with box

Published by B.P. Grimaud, Paris, France, c.1890

Style: Tarot Allemand à deux-têtes, "dit Chinois" (Two-Headed German Tarot)

DESCRIPTION: Ancien Tarot deck, manufactured in France by B.P. Grimaud & Chartier. Late 19th-century to early twentieth-century cards, with 21 Major Atouts, 1 fool (a kind of Joker), and 56 Minor cards with French suit markers of hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades (Ace-10, Jack, Knight, Queen, King). The deck was previously printed by Lequart, and earlier by Arnoult, c.1850. The very first deck of this style was printed by Lefer (one-headed German-styled tarot) for the German community in France. 

Atouts are drawn in French Orientalist/Chinoiserie style, complete with a host of sea monsters and merpeople. Versos are decorated with a blue-grey cross and dot pattern of intricate design. Chromolithography.

Deck Identifiers:
Deck: Tarot Ancien ('Chinois')
Titles: None
Tax Stamp: Avril 12, 1890, on Ace of clubs.                                                              Publisher:  Lettered on the court cards "B.P. Grimaud France". The case is lettered "B.P. Grimaud Tarot Ancien 78 Cartes. B.P. Grimaud & Chartier, Rue de Lancry, 54 Paris". Colours: blue, red, green, yellow, peach
Borders: dual-line embroidered triangle pattern borders
Versos/Backs: grey-blue floral pattern with dots
Paper: pasteboard card stock
Numbering: Arabic numerals
Corners: rounded

CONDITION: 

Very good condition, complete with 78 cards and original box; the cards are in very good condition, with occasional patina and minor stains, and some surface and edgewear; a nicely preserved example of the original card-box, with a few repairs and issues, including some splitting, creasing, wear, stains, notation in pencil, and flap attached by what appears to be clear/office tape. (see photographs)

Card Measurements: 10.4 cm X 5.6 cm