Tarocchino Mitelli (Bologna, 1660) – RARE - Limited Edition - Anima Antiqua

The Tarocchino Mitelli is a significant historical deck originating in Bologna in the mid-17th century. Designed and engraved in copper by the Bolognese artist Giuseppe Maria Mitelli, it reflects both the artistic style and the gaming traditions of its period. Unlike many later tarot decks, the Tarocchino Mitelli was created specifically as a card gamerather than a divinatory tool, making it an important reference point for scholars studying the early evolution of tarot.

This edition, published by Lo Scarabeo as part of their Anima Antiqua (Ancient Soul) series, faithfully reproduces the original structure and artwork of the deck. Limited to 2,999 numbered copies, it offers collectors and researchers a carefully produced facsimile of one of tarot history’s foundational gaming decks.

Historical Structure & Notable Features

The Tarocchino Mitelli departs in several significant ways from the standardized 78-card tarot:

·       62-card structure characteristic of the traditional Bolognese tarocchino format.

·       Pip reductions: the Twos, Threes, Fours, and Fives are omitted from all suits.

·       Major Arcana variations: the deck includes two Hierophants (one standing, one seated) and no High Priestess, reflecting regional iconographic traditions.

·       No card titles: cards contain no written names; only the pip cards carry Roman numerals.

·       Artwork rendered in the distinctive engraved style of Mitelli, whose work remains a major example of 17th-century Bolognese printmaking.

Because the deck was designed for play, not divination, it does not correspond directly to later esoteric tarot systems. Its value lies in its documentary significance and its insight into early tarot as a cultural and recreational practice.

Production Quality

·       Card size: approximately 4.75 × 2.75 inches.

·       Cardstock: A moderate weight with a lightly textured, antique papyrus-like surface, chosen to evoke the material qualities of early printed decks.

·       Print quality: Clear reproduction that preserves the fine etched lines of Mitelli’s original copper engravings.

·       Form factor: Cards are narrower than standard modern tarot proportions, consistent with historical tarocchinodimensions.

·       Packaging: Presented in a sturdy, top-lifting hard box. Boxed dimensions approx. 3.25 × 5.25 inches.

·       Documentation: Includes Lo Scarabeo’s multilingual booklet (English, Spanish, French, Italian, German) with essential background information.

For Collectors, Historians, and Tarot Scholars

The Tarocchino Mitelli is especially suited for:

·       Collectors seeking accurate reproductions of early European tarot decks

·       Historians and researchers studying the Bolognese tarocchino tradition

·       Practitioners interested in the origins of tarot before its esoteric reinterpretation

·       Anyone looking to add a historically grounded and faithfully reproduced deck to their collection

As one of the most influential decks in the development of Italian tarot, this edition provides an accessible and well-crafted representation of Mitelli’s original 1660 work, making it a valuable resource for both study and preservation.