François de Poilly Minchiate Tarot -- c.1650

"Lordy, I love reading with this monster deck. It's operatic," says one of my buyers of this unique deck.

The Minchiate has 41 Majors, 16 Courts and 40 pips.

There is no tradition associated with fortune telling with the Minchiate but fortune telling with them can be an adventure. All these cards are wonderful works of art.

When Caitlín Matthews received her deck, she described it, "Francois de Poilly Tarot: a 17th century French Minchiate with a difference. The suits are French, the courts are from Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia. We have the 5 senses, the ages of man, the months with zodiacal sign and a few other lovelies like the Gods. The cards are perfectly sized for my hands being Lenormand sized. I am very happy indeed." Check out her blog post about it here: http://caitlin-matthews.blogspot.com/2018/01/bringing-home-baby-marvellous-minchiate.html?fbclid=IwAR0uJ47fXVN3mfnxSsxU3ZZu4P4mq6KDfaWNRoHD31GLbXZ3JM7PFX0yKtY

And there's now a video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CE90Zkjj2OJ/

François de Poilly was a 17th century engraver by trade and created this Minchiate deck consisting of 97 cards. This is a facsimile reproduction. The Minchiate was originally an elaborate card game similar to tarot but the rules are lost to history.

All the titles are in French and there are 41 majors. The first numbered card is Mercury -- the messenger who introduces the rest of the cards that follow. The next ones are Love, Venus, Bacchus, Prudence, Charity, Justice, Hope, Strength, Fortune, followed by 4 'ages', 5 senses, 4 elements -- earth air fire water, 12 months represented by the corresponding astrological symbols, and finally stars, moon, sun and world. The last card, La Renommé, depicts a winged character hovering in a cloud over a town, with a horn in his mouth -- resembling the Judgement card in tarot. All these cards are numbered in sequence and then there's an unnumbered card titled "Monmus" that resembles the Fool in tarot,

Comprised of 97 cards. There are 56 cards that are like current playing cards with royalty depicted from the 4 continents as were then known Asia, Europe, America and Africa -- Valet, Cheval, Dame, Roy plus 1-10 pips. So, if you like to read with playing cards this deck would make a wonderful change of scenery.

This deck is printed on premium casino-style card stock that feels wonderful in hand and comes in a tuck box. Card size is 2-1/2 x 3-1/2"
Pronounce Minchiate: min- kee- YAH - tay

The cards are made for people who plan to use their cards often. They are printed on modern day, casino grade card stock (black core, 320 gsm) that can be riffle shuffled and feel wonderful in hand and come in a plastic box. Card size is 2-1/2 x 3-1/2"

The decks will be specially ordered just for you and mailed in 3-5 weeks, although probably sooner.
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NOTES -- PLEASE READ:

First, I accept NO CANCELLATIONS or refunds because each deck is specially ordered for you; once the order is sent to the printer, I cannot cancel it and so it will be delivered to you. If more than one deck is ordered, there is reduced shipping for the additional decks.

This is a facsimile reproduction or a restored reproduction of actual cards or period art (the Papus and 1926 Wirth decks). There is no accompanying instruction booklet but may or may not contain instructions or information on additional cards. The card stock is made to be shuffled and used and, as such, may be a disappointment to "collectors" but will delight aficionados who use and appreciate the art of antique decks. Since each deck is made to order please be patient. Your deck will be ordered immediately but may take up to 3 to 5 , weeks to arrive, internationally 3-7 weeks. .

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SHIPPING NOTE for INTERNATIONAL BUYERS.

My printer is now collecting VAT for EU countries so I have adjusted the shipping charges to reflect that. price increase. Sorry.

There are some locations where I will not ship via regular mail including Mexico and Brazil because regular has gone missing. If you are from the countries with known unreliable postal systems, sorry, I will return your payments. If you are serious about wanting the decks we can make other arrangements,