To produce a woodcut, the design was cut into the woodblock using a knife. The sheet had been preserved in a 16th century binding to Le Trésor de l'Ame, published in Geneva: L. The sizes given include the border, when such exists, although in many instances such border is a line of colour added by hand.' In nearly every case the impressions now offered for sale are believed to be the only ones known and as such they are recorded in Schreiber's 'Manuel de l'Amateur de la Gravure sur Bois et sur Metal au XVe Siecle'. 'All, with the exception of the first, are coloured in the manner usually employed in the embellishment of the separately issued relief-cuts on wood or metal of this early period. 'German and Other Woodcuts of the XVTH Century' From the same sale a bookplate of Hilprand Brandenberg (S.II, 2038), woodcut, early German five 15th century playing cards.

Purchased by Messrs P and D Colnaghi & Co. Murray (1843-1910), from a sale of the collection of Henry Ralph Mowbray Howard at Sotheby's on the 25th February 1920, lot number 113 (Sotheby's Catalogue of Very Fine and Choice Engravings and Rare Early Woodcuts). Purchased, with funds from the bequest of Captain H.B. Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries Below the bottom row is a line which indicates the edge of the woodblock. The Knave of Diamonds carries a bill (weapon) with a banner on top/protective cover? The top row of images is cut off slightly at the top. The Knave of Hearts holds a dog on a leash and carries a staff. The Knave of Diamonds' hat is white with a red rim and that of the Knave of Hearts' is red on one side and green on the other. The Knave of Diamonds wears a longer doublet with long, square-ended loose sleeves over close-fitting sleeves and a hat with a feather. The Knave of Hearts wears leggings and a codpiece, a short doublet with long, square-ended false sleeves over close-fitting sleeves and a hat with a feather. Both Knaves wear fashionable, aristocratic, motley costume, in red, yellow and green. This fragment shows two rows, each with two cards and a fragment of one more. Fragment of an uncut sheet of playing cards showing the Knave of Hearts and Knave of Diamonds repeated alternately.

Uncut 1st playing cards