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  home   >   collection   >   Translucent pack (1)

This pack was produced around 1850 by an unknown maker, probably from Germany or possibly from France.

The specialty about these cards is that they look like regular cards on first sight, but they have a secret: If you look through them in front of a strong light you will notice that a picture can be seen -- that is why they are called 'translucent'.

Often these pictures are explicit, erotic, obscene, or even pornographic, whatever your opinion is. These hidden pictures are in all cards including the pip cards. You can see some of these pictures here.

As the cards were not legally allowed, there is no maker's name on them, and makers, sellers or users were often prosecuted in court.

Modern reprints of these cards are available.