Dondorf Tarok No. 245 deck, Frankfurt
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c.1910
This is a complete 78-card lithograph Tarok deck, historically known as Dondorf's Microscopique Tarock, published by B. Dondorf in Frankfurt, Germany, circa 1910.
The deck features traditional French suit signs and a double-ended design on the faces. The court cards are intricately illustrated to represent famous historical figures, while the numbered cards, or Aces, showcase notable European buildings and scenic sights. The cards are finished with blue floral and gilt patterned backsides and gilt corners, housed within their original publisher's box. The cards measure approximately 10.5 by 5.5 cm (4 by 2.5 inches).
This set is representative of the Tarok tradition of competitive trick-taking games, distinct from the tarot divination tradition, despite their common historical origins in 15th-century Italy. This complete set includes the original box for storage.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Count
- 78 cards
- Edges
- gilt
- Dimensions
- 10.5x5.5 cm
- Back design
- blue floral and gilt
Technical characteristics
- Printing
- lithograph
- Suit system
- French
Design
- Motifs
- historical figures on court cards, European buildings and sights on Aces
- Face style
- double-ended
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- B. Dondorf
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.