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Published March 20, 2015 Updated February 16, 2023

France Royale Bridge

“France Royale” Bridge playing cards by Willy Mayrl depict historical characters from France’s royal past.

1975 Austria France Piatnik Willy Mayrl Art & Design Royalty Add to Collection

“France Royale” Bridge No.2142, Piatnik 1975   Piatnik website

Piatnik’s elegant and refined “France Royale” Bridge playing cards designed by Willy Mayrl depict named historical characters from France’s royal past, including Louis XIV, Richelieu, Marie de Medici, Talleyrand, Marie-Antoinette, Anna D’Autriche, François I, Marguerite de Navarra, Louis XIV, Henry IV, Louis XVI and others. The four decorative aces and joker reinforce the historical style.

“France Royale” Playing Cards, Piatnik 1998, 2002

Above: “France Royale” Bridge No.2142 playing cards, Piatnik 1975. 52 cards + 3 Jokers in luxury box. Fleurs de Lis on the backs. Normally, the production code numbers are under the company legend on the ace of hearts, but in these France Royale packs its on the ace of diamonds. Images courtesy Matt Probert.

“France Royale” Playing Cards, Piatnik 1998, 2002
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By Matt Probert

Member since March 02, 2012

I have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.

Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.

Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.

I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.


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