Italian renaissance woodcut playing cards

Block T2

All preserved fragments are coloured, and come from at least four different imprints.

Note that although it is well-preserved, the cavallo di bastoni (knight of batons) has no easily recognisable suit symbol, but is securely identified by a process of elimination (as the three other knights are accounted for).

5044 is a composite of 4 overlapping fragments from different imprints. The top strip could possibly be from the same imprint as the main sheet, but the strip between them matches neither. Fragment 46781 forms the original bottom strip of the main sheet, but has been replaced by a larger and better fragment in the composite.

A single card has been seen on an eBay auction; unfortunately I have no information about that apart from a high resolution photo taken in perspective. In order to examine the relationship, I have rectified the perspective and overlaid the image over the Budapest 5044 fragment. By applying a variable transparency, it can be seen that the card is not from the same woodblock, but another copy of the exact same design.