Minchiate Etruria (Florence, 1806) – Limited Edition - Anima Antiqua

The Minchiate Etruria is the third release in Lo Scarabeo’s Anima Antiqua (Ancient Soul) series and represents one of the most distinctive historical variations of tarot. Originating in Florence, the Minchiate tradition expands the standard tarot structure into a 97-card system, incorporating additional trumps drawn from classical astrology, elemental theory, and moral philosophy. This edition is a meticulous reproduction of an 1806 Florentine deck, recognized as one of the finest Minchiate examples ever produced.

Faithfully recreated and limited to 2,999 numbered copies, this deck holds particular value for collectors, historians, and serious students of tarot’s regional and symbolic evolution.

Historical Context & Structure

The Minchiate tradition diverges significantly from the more familiar 78-card tarot:

·       Total cards: 97

·       Expanded trumps: In addition to the standard sequence, the Minchiate includes:

o   The Twelve Zodiac Signs

o   The Four Elements

o   The Four Cardinal Virtues (Prudence, Justice, Temperance, Fortitude)

·       Regional origins: Developed in Florence, Minchiate was widely played from the 16th through the 19th century, serving both as a card game and a visual representation of cosmological and moral concepts.

·       The 1806 Etruria edition, on which this reproduction is based, is among the most complete and visually refined expressions of the Minchiate tradition.

This expanded symbolic system offers a rare insight into the diversity of early European cartomantic and gaming practices.

Production Details

·       Card count: 97

·       Dimensions: Approx. 2.75 × 1.94 × 4.75 inches (boxed)

·       Publisher: Lo Scarabeo / distributed by Llewellyn Publications (2018)

·       ISBN: 978-0738759715

·       Edition: Limited and numbered (2,999 copies)

·       Booklet: Multilingual companion booklet in English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German

The cards have been elaborately scanned and restored from high-quality originals, preserving the fine lines, colour palette, and stylistic flourishes of early 19th-century Florentine printing.

For Collectors, Researchers, and Tarot Enthusiasts

The Minchiate Etruria is particularly suited for:

·       Collectors of rare and regionally distinctive tarot systems

·       Academics and researchers examining the development of expanded trump sequences

·       Students of historical tarot symbolism, astrology, and Hermetic traditions

·       Enthusiasts seeking a deck that reflects a broader cosmological structure than the standard Major Arcana

Now out of print as of August 2021, this edition represents a rare opportunity to own an accurate and beautifully produced reproduction of one of tarot’s most unusual and historically significant forms.