![The elite of Solothurn society gathered at tables like this one for card game evenings. This table belonged to the Glutz family, and the candlesticks belonged to the Greder-von Stäffis family. The playing cards and token boxes made of leather-covered cardboard are part of a Tarock set in book form dating from 1778.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/spielkarten-barock-titel-300x225.jpg)
Solothurn, the cardmaking capital
In the 18th century, Solothurn was an important centre of playing card production. Throughout the Swiss Confederation almost everyone played with cards made in Solothurn, and the card designs produced there were also popular “beyond” the border.
![A Knave of Hearts featuring the Fribourg pattern, signed by Joseph Stelli.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/spielkarte-stelli-202x300.jpg)
![Franz Joseph Heri’s signature on the Two of Coins from his 1718 Tarock set. This is the first Tarock set made in Switzerland that we know of.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/munzen-zwei-heri-dig-2515-lm-1030140-225x300.jpg)
![Trump VII "LE CHARIOR" with Heri's initials "FH" in the shield on the front of the carriage.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/heri-charior-dig-2536-lm-1030161-225x300.jpg)
![View of a cardmaking workshop. The numbered figures describe the individual work materials and steps in more detail.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/Werkstatt-1-300x168.jpg)
![In their Encylopédie of 1763, Diderot and d’Alembert described the work of a playing card maker in precise detail.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/karten-produktion-188x300.jpg)