Game of Hope Lenormand Cards, c.1799

The Game of Hope was the first Lenormand deck.

The Game of Hope originated as the parlor game Das Spiel der Hofnung by J.K. Hechtel who created it some time during the late 1790s. It contained 36 cards. The game required that the cards be laid in lines of 9x4 as if squares on a modern day board game.

In 1896 Lady Charlotte Schreiber, an avid collector of Tarot and other cards, bequeathed her collection to the British Museum. Among the many decks was this one, complete and well used. As the British Museum describes them, "Cards with French suits: a complete pack of 36 playing-cards in a pale blue cardboard case, with printed label on the outside: 'Das Spiel der Hofnung, mit einer neuen illum. Figurenkarte. Neue Auflage. / Le Jeu de l'Esperance, accompagné d'un jeu de cartes a figures.' Hand- coloured etchings with plain backs."

Cards of all descriptions were used by fortune tellers throughout Europe for centuries. When the most famous of these fortune tellers, Mlle Le Normand, died in 1843 decks containing 36 cards with images, numbers and playing card inserts were published and attributed to her creation. The symbols used were the same as the ones appearing on the cards in the Game of Hope.

Once the British Museum's Game of Hope cards were seen by modern Lenormand aficionados they noted that the cards not only contain the same images but are in the exact sequence as latter day copies of Lenormand cards. Therefore, these very Game of Hope cards are the actual originals of the cards we now know as the Lenormand Petit Jeu.

I crafted an elegant back from elements contained within the cards. These cards are made to delight Lenormand readers and collectors who appreciate the beauty and simplicity of the antique cards.

Thanks to the British Museum they are available for you, a faithful reproduction of Lady Charlotte's own cards.

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 feels wonderful in hand and come in a tuck box. Card size is 2-1/2 x 3-1/2"

© British Museum, all rights reserved.

The decks will be specially ordered just for you and mailed in 3-4 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 4 weeks to arrive, internationally 3-7 weeks.
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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. There is reduced shipping for more than one deck.

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 so please be patient. Your deck will be ordered immediately but may take up to 3 to 4, 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,