Cream together butter and 1 ½ cups sugar until fluffy.
Add eggs and the vanilla and mix well.
Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt.
Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.
Mix the ¼ cup of sugar and the spices
Roll balls of dough in mixture.
Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes (I'd take them out after 8)
Notes
To make these without cream of tartar substitute the baking soda and cream of tartar with 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder and ¼ teaspoon baking soda
The first time you make these add the pepper ½ teaspoon at a time and taste as you go so you don't get it too spicy.