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Wanuwwab - 1972 -Carta Mundi
Rare, the only ever full facsimile of theMuluk Wanuwwab deck, published by Carta Mundi in 1972.The cards known as Mulūk wa-nuwwāb (kings and deputies) contains 43 out of originally 52 cards and is located at the Topkapı Palace Museum in Istanbul. The missing 9 cards are artfully recreated in original illuminated manner and seamlessly added to this edition to make a complete pack.The pack has the exact same structure as the earliest European packs; theunderlying design is very simple but the surface has been ornamented. The border of some cards is in the shape of a horseshoe arch as seen in Islamic doorways, windows, friezes decorations. The suits are coins, cups, swords and polo-sticks (emblem of the most popular of the aristocratic sports in the Mamluk Empire) and there are 13 cards per suit: the numbers 1 to 10 plus 3 court cards, the King, the Lieutenant and the Second Lieutenant (all male). The ranks of the court cards are given in the blue inscription areas at the bottom of the cards.The calligraphic texts along the tops of the cards consist of rhyming aphorisms which are often very enchanting, sometimes strange, but always interesting:“O thou who hast possessions, remain happy and thou shalt have a pleasant life.”“Let it come to me, because acquired good is durable; it rejoices me with all its utility”“Pleasures for the soul and agreeable things, in my colours there are all kinds”“Look how wonderful my game is and my dress extraordinarily beautiful”“I am as a garden, the like of which will never exist”“Rejoice in the happiness that returns, as a bird that sings its joy”.“I will, as pearls on a string, be lifted in the hands of kings”“May God give thee prosperity; then thou will already have achieved thy aim”“Whosoever will call me to his happiness, he will only see joyful looks”.This specific copy comes from a special limited print run of 246 copies only, comes with its own serial number: "When we commissioned Carta Mundi to print this unique deck, we asked them to produce 750 copies. The job was so finely executed to arrived at the right number of perfect decks, that there was very little waste material. However, it has been possible to recover enough to produce just 246 further packs. This is neither a second issue nor an extension of the first issue, but a further unique production - we have designated them Series B."52 cards + 1 hand numbered title card. Presented in a sturdy 2-piece faux leather storage box stamped in gold.Includes a perfect bound companion book and an introduction pamphlet to the four suits.Professional black core playing cardstock with smooth coating.Hand numbered limited edition of 246 copies.Immaculate condition throughout, plastic wrap still attached.Historically significant facsimile, perfect for any collector or scholar's library.Mint, never Options/Combine ShippingUS Domestic Shipping: Free Ground Advantage within all of the USA. Expedited shipping options are available upon request.International Shipping: Available through Global Shipping program. We do not have visibility in to international postage and associated taxes and fees, which are managed and calculated by . For shipping cost to your country, please refer to the quote provided by at checkout.We always combine shipping for multiple items ordered, please buy withconfidence.
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