Uncut vintage sheet of Neapolitan tarot playing cards by Raffaele Pignalosa
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
prima metà XX secolo
This object is a large, decorative uncut lithograph sheet on cardboard, produced by Raffaele Pignalosa in Naples during the first half of the 20th century. The sheet features 63 individual printed playing card designs, intended to be cut out by the user to assemble a complete deck of cards.
The designs include traditional suit symbols such as swords, clubs, coins, and cups, alongside various allegorical and esoteric figures, suggesting that the deck was designed for tarot readings, cartomancy, and horoscope-related activities. The back of the sheet is printed with a classic black and white geometric pattern. The entire sheet measures 775x480 mm. As a vintage production intended for assembly, the sheet serves as an interesting example of regional card manufacturing, combining utility with decorative illustration.
The physical condition includes some minor tears and losses along the left margin, characteristic of its age.
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
- Material
- cardboard
- Technique
- color lithograph
- Dimensions
- 775x480 mm
Technical characteristics
- Format
- uncut sheet of 63 cards
Design
- Obverse
- allegorical and esoteric figures, suit symbols (swords, clubs, coins, cups)
- Reverse
- black and white geometric patterns
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
- Raffaele Pignalosa
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.