Daveluy

Daveluy produced card games between c.1840 and 1890. Undoubtedly he played an important role in the field. His output differs from other Belgian manufacturers by its distinctive fantasy medieval “middle ages” style, lively chromolithography, traditional ideals of workmanship and de luxe finish. Unlike his contemporaries in Turnhout, Daveluy favoured graphic originality with a penchant for the “neo-medieval” and “neo-Renaissance” which was becoming fashionable at that time, evoking an old order of chivalry and adventure.

Above: chivalrous ‘Première Croisade’ playing cards by Daveluy, Bruges, c.1850   more►

Many of Daveluy's playing cards have historical connotations with reference to the history of the Southern Netherlands, and show figures with a landscape background. Where the Turnhout manufacturers borrowed from French and Continental patterns and addressed the wider world, Daveluy addressed Belgium of the 1830s. However, many of his fantasy playing card designs influenced the output of other manufacturers who imitated his style.

Above: double-ended deck with historical characters and jesters as jacks, c.1850  more►

Above: fantasy double-ended designs by Daveluy, Bruges, c.1868. Traditional ideals of workmanship with different colouring at each end. Also known with scenic aces   (click image to see more).

Above: fantasy Historical Patience c.1875  more►

Above: “Cartes Imperiales” Dutch pattern by Daveluy, Bruges, 36 cards, chromolithography, c.1880. The designs are derived from the Paris pattern. The queen of clubs has the manufacturer's name: Daveluy, Bruges.   (click image to see more).

Daveluy's productions are mostly easily recognizable by the use of colours, by the style and taste, and his name usually appears on one card or another, unlike other Belgian manufacturers from Turnhout. He was able to develop an identity which is still recognizable today.

Above: Spanish-suited playing cards produced by Daveluy for Spain. © National Museum of the Playing Card.

Édouard Alexis Daveluy (1812-1894) founded his press in Bruges in 1835. The firm gained a good name printing newspapers and also portrait, landscape and art photography. He gained various certificates for the printing and manufacture of playing cards, and was appointed Lithographer to the King in 1842. In 1847 he filed a patent for “a method of manufacturing playing cards in chromolithography”. Édouard Daveluy gained a lot of honourable mentions in various foreign exhibitions. His playing cards were distributed all over Europe, even to the British and Dutch colonies. He also produced Lenormand & Tarot packs.

Above: somewhat nostalgic ‘Cartes Moyen-Age’ by Daveluy, Bruges, c.1875   more►

Daveluy exhibited in Paris at the Universal Exhibitions of 1855, 1867 & 1878. Around 1880, Édouard Daveluy transferred the business to his eldest son Victor (1846-1886) who had made a name for himself as a photographer, but he died prematurely. In 1895 his widow assigned the business to the Geûens-Seaux partnership (later Geûens-Willaert), although Brepols is believed to have taken some of Daveluy's plates or lithographic stones and Geûens brought two of the Brepols craftsmen to Bruges.

Above: Four Continents playing cards, 1860-1885  more►

Above: XIX century ‘Mlle Lenormand’ cartomancy deck by Daveluy  more►

Above: questions & answers card game by Daveluy, c.1880  more►

Above: ‘Cartes Marbrées’, c.1850  more►

Above: ‘Cartes de Conversation’ questions & answers card game, c.1880  more►