18 Antique J. François Tourcaty Fils Tarot de Marseille Cards 18th Century For Sale

Offered here is an 18-card partial antique Tarot de Marseille deck attributed to J. François Tourcaty fils of Marseille, France, an important historic playing-card maker associated with 18th-century Marseille tarot production.The group includes the important Two of Coins, bearing the printed maker inscription “J. François Tourcaty Fils” and “ANNO.” Comparable Tourcaty tarot decks are held in major institutional collections including the Bibliothèque nationale de France and the Fitzwilliam Museum.The cards were produced using traditional woodcut printing with stencil-applied color and retain the distinctive hand-produced appearance characteristic of early Marseille tarot cards.Included among the 18 surviving cards are:* XVIII — La Lune / The Moon* Maker-inscribed Two of Coins* Court cards* Number cards from the suits of Coins, Cups, Swords and Batons* Matching patterned backsSeveral design characteristics appear consistent with Tourcaty examples associated with the late 18th century and French Revolutionary period, including alterations or suppression of traditional royal imagery. Because dating of surviving Tourcaty printings and reused woodblocks is complex, no specific year of manufacture is guaranteed.One card bears an old handwritten “1730” annotation. The writer, date and meaning of this notation are unknown, and it is not represented as the manufacture date of the cards.These cards came together as a surviving partial group and are being sold together as found, rather than individually.Condition is consistent with considerable age, including toning, discoloration, worn edges, surface wear and occasional staining. Despite this, the printed designs and stencil colors remain remarkably visible. Please examine the detailed photographs closely, as they form an important part of the description.18 cards total. Partial deck only.