Preheat oven to 375 degree F. Lightly grease baking sheets.

In a medium bowl cream the shortening and sugar until well blended. Add the eggs and mix until they are mixed well. Mix in the vanilla.

Sift together the flour, soda, salt, cream of tartar, and cinnamon. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mix well.

Add water to a bowl (doesn't matter how much because you will only be dipping the top of the cookie into the water). In another bowl combine the sugar and cardamom

Roll into small balls, dip the top of the cookie into the water, then into the sugar and cardamom mixture. Place cookies in the preheat oven and bake for 10 to 12 or until the edges start turning a light brown.

Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack until the cookies start to cool down. Remove the cookies from the baking sheet and place on the cooling rack and cool completely.