Mulūk Wanuwwāb – The Only Arabic Playing Cards! (Aurelia Books, 1972 Limited Edition of 750)

A rare and historically important reproduction of the Mamluk Playing Cards, considered the direct ancestors of modern European playing cards and the tarot.
The original 15th-century cards were discovered at the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul by L. A. Mayer, whose 1939 study became the foundation for this remarkable facsimile edition.

Published in 1972 by Aurelia Books (Brussels and Louvain) and printed by Carta Mundi, this deluxe edition was limited to 750 numbered copies.
This one is No. 178.

The set includes:
– Complete deck of 56 richly ornamented cards (2.25 × 3.3 in / 58 × 86 mm)
– 62-page booklet on the history of Arabic and European playing cards
– Elegant black leatherette presentation box with gold titles

A cornerstone piece for collectors of early playing cards, Islamic art, and tarot history — the bridge between East and West.

🔹 Publisher: Aurelia Books / Carta Mundi (Belgium, 1972)
🔹 Limited Edition of 750 – No. 178
🔹 Condition: Excellent – box with light shelf wear consistent with age

🪶 Collector’s Note

The Mulūk Wanuwwāb deck stands among the most historically significant reproductions ever printed.
Derived from the 15th-century Mamluk cards of Cairo, this set represents the direct ancestors of European playing cards and the earliest foundations of tarot symbolism.

The ornate geometric and floral designs echo the refinement of Islamic manuscript art, while their structure — cups, swords, coins, and polo sticks — later evolved into the suits of European decks.
This 1972 Aurelia Books edition, produced by Carta Mundi in only 750 numbered copies, is prized by collectors as both an object of beauty and a landmark in the history of divination.

A rare fusion of art, history, and mysticism — the moment where the East gave birth to the Tarot.

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