Trionfi

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Burchiello
14 Figure

01 1442/1 Ferrara/Sagramoro
02 1442/2 Ferrara/Kids
03 1449/1 Marcello letter
04 1450/1 Ferrara/Sagramoro
05 1450/2 Florence
06 1450/3 Sforza letter
07 1451/1 Ferrara/Sagramoro
08 1452/1 Malatesta/Sforza
09 1454/1 Ferrara/Sagramoro
10 1454/2 Ferrara/Sagramoro
11 1454/3 Ferrara/production
12 1454/4 Ferrara/production
13 1454/5 Ferrara/production
14 1456/1 Ferrara/Trotti
15 1456/2 Ferrara/Sagramoro
16 1457/1 Ferrara/70 cards
17 1457/2 Ferrara/Vicenza
18 1458/1 Ferrara/Vicenza
19 1459/1 Ferrara/production
20 1459/2 Bologna
21 1460/1 Ferrara/Vicenza
22 1460/2 Ferrara/Vicenza
23 1460/3 Ferrara/Vicenza
24 1460/4 Ferrara/Vicenza
25 1460/5 Ferrara/Vicenza
26 1461/1 Ferrara/Vicenza
27 1463/1 Ferrara /Vicenza
28 Polismagna

Artist + Persons
References

The Name Trionfi
in Context with Playing Cards (1441 - 1463)

Document 06

In the end of 1450 the plague reigns in Milano. Francesco Sforza, who had urged the city to surrender earlier in the year, which caused the death of some thousand people by famine, is in Lodi, around 30km in the southwest, when he writes the letter, probably with the intention of escaping from the plague (probably together with his family). The number of dying people is given with 30 000 - 60 000 ( ! ), so one must assume, that there were very severe conditions at the beginning of Sforzas reign. The use of games and other amusing occupations during the horrible time of a plague (normal work couldn't be done) is mirrored by Boccachio's Decamerone (describing a situation from 1348 - 1350 during the great plague), in which courtly games also play a greater role.
Francesco Sforza differs between carte de triomphi and carte de giocare in his first letter, with the second probably refering to "normal playing cards". The second letter refers to normal playing cards and to a "pair of fruits" - this expression stays unexplained. It is possible, that:

a. trionfi cards could also be named "pair of fruits"
b. this was a special trionfi deck with fruits instead of figures
c. "pair of fruits" refers to another sort of card deck, not mentioned in other sources
d. Cichus might have had a reading or writing error

(the letter, that we know, is a copy of "Cichus", which is Francescus Simonetta, who became the chief secretary of Francesco Sforza, the letters were usually copied in Milano). Both entries indirectly carry the hidden message, that Trionfi decks are not easy to get for Francesco Sforza in late 1450. Although in Florence already a statute appeared, that Trionfi are an allowed game (which perhaps might indicate a common production of Trionfi decks there), it seems to be difficult to get it in Milan. But - perhaps this only refers to the special situation of the plague.

1450 [2 letters from Francesco Sforza to Antonio Trecho, treasurer]

(A). 1450, 11th of December

To Antonio Trecho texaurario,

Voliamo, subito recevuta questa, per uno cavallaro ad posta, ne debbi mandare doe para de carte de triumphi, della piu belle poray trovare; et non trovando dicti triomphi, voglie mandare doe altra para de carte da giocare, pur delle piu belle poray havere. Quale fa che habbiamo qui domenica per tutti el di, che sera adi xiij del presente. Data Laude, die xj decembris 1450.

Francesco Sfortia Vicecomes manu propria subscripsit. Cichus

B). 1450, 15th of December

Antonio Trecho
Havemo inteso per toe litttere el richato hay facto de quello formento per dare alle nostre gentedarme; del che restiamo molto liecti et contenti, et volemo che lo distribuischa secondo gli bolectini te havemo scripto et scriverimo, tenendo bom conto del tutto. Havimo propterea recevuti de la carte da jocare et se ne contentemo bene, ma volimo, quanto piu presto sia possibile, tu ce mandi l'altro paro delle fructe, quale ce hay mandato amorevelmente et cum quella bona fede, qual sempre havemo cognoscuta in te verso noy. Te regraciamo singularmente et l'havemo recevuto cum bono animo et voluntera, como da fidele citadino et amicissimo nostro che te reputamo. Propterea te mandiamo la squadra de Tristano in scripto, acio se gli dia el formento cum participacione del nostro locotenente, el qual e informato a chi se debbe dare et a chi non, per essergli proveduto altroe.

Laude, xv decembris 1450 Cichus

[Kaplan II, p. 4 - 6; the letter appears in Volume II/4 of the Archivio Ducale Sforzesco Registri Delle Missive, published in 1982 by the Archivo de Stato, Milano.]

Translation (by Stuart Kaplan)

(A). 11th of December

To Antonio Trecho, treasurer

As soon, as this is received, we want you to send, by a mail rider, two decks of trump cards, of the finest you can find; and if you do not find said trumps, please send two other decks of playing cards, of the finest that there are. Do this so we have them here for all day Sunday, which will be 13th of the month.

Given at Lodi, the 11th of December 1450

Francesco Sforza Visconti, signed by his own hand. Cichus

(B). 15th of December

Antonio Trecho
We've learned from your letters that the proceeds from the wheat harvest will be given to our soldiers; we are very glad and content and we want you to distribute the proceeds according to the bulletins we have written you and will write, taking good note of everything. We have received the playing cards and are very pleased with them, but we want you, as soon as possible, the other pair of fruits, like those you were kind enough to send to us, with the same good faith you have always shown towards us. We especially thank you and we will accept them with much enthusiasm as you are a loyal and faithful citizen. We assign to you in writing the squadron of Tristano, so that you will give them the wheat under the direction of our lieutenant, who is already informed to whom he should give it and to whom not.

Lodi, December 15, 1450 Cichus