Hoffman published two sets of playing cards, one of the world, the other of Europe. This card of Ireland is from the Europe which was entitled ‘Europeisch-Geographisches Spiel-Charte’ and represents the King of diamonds. It is extremely rare. The world map in the set bears the imprints of ‘J.H. Seyfrid, delineavit’ and ‘Wilhelm Pfann. sculpsit’, probably those responsible for all the cards. The date 1678 comes from the accompanying text volume which resides in the Willshire Collection at the British Museum. Hoffman was born in Frankenberg, Sachsen, 17 March 1629. He was often in trouble with the authorities in Nuremberg for various illegal activities including plagiarism. He died 27 March 1698. Provenance: Mr. Rimington-Wilson of Broomhead Hall sold at Christies, London 24 November 1971 lot 339; Sylvia Mann collection. S. Mann & D. Kingsley Map Collector Series no. 87 p. 22 no. 5; C. P. Hargrave ‘A History of Playing Cards’ p. 109; van der Krogt ‘The Europaeisch-Geographische Spiel-Charte by Franz Nigrinus and Johann Seyfried, 1678’ in ‘The Map Forum’ no. 9 pp. 56-60; Bonar-Law no. 14 although apparantly not seen by him; van der Krogt ‘The Europaeisch-Geographische Spiel-Charte by Franz Nigrinus and Johann Seyfried, 1678’, in ‘Map Forum’ no. 9 pp. 56-60.