Facts and Speculations on the Origin and History of Playing Cards

by William Andrew Chatto

Circular Cards. XVth Century. (p. 222.)
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Circular Cards. XVth Century. (p. 222.)
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Circular Cards. XVth Century. (p. 222.)
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The form of these cards is circular, and in each suit there are four coat cards, namely, a King, a Queen, a Squire, and a Knave. [255] The distinction between the two latter is not indeed very clearly expressed in the costume; though there cannot be a doubt that the lowest character is that which in each suit is represented as running, and thus plainly corresponding with the Italian Fante. The highest of the numeral cards is the Nine, there being no Ten in this pack. The respective number of each is marked at the top in Arabic cyphers, and at the bottom in Roman numerals. At the bottom also, within the outer circle of the border, are the letters T. W., probably intended for the initials of the engraver. [256] Whoever he might be, his name is unknown; and only one other subject of his engraving is noticed by Bartsch. In the annexed specimens are shown the King, Queen, and Ace of Hares; the Squire of Columbines; the Deuce and Squire of Pinks; and the Knave and Nine of Parroquets. On each of the Aces there is an inscription on a scroll, as on the Ace of Hares; on the latter, the language is low German—"Platt Duitsch"—and the words form a rhyming couplet:

Av͞e mi drint mē vin,

Daerom mot ic en lepus sin.