Dubois

Cardmakers by the name of J.B, J.T and J.J Dubois of Liège are known from the late-18th ’til mid-19th centuries.

J B Dubois had a workshop behind the Maison de Ville
J J Dubois was established at Haute-Sauvernière 352, or Rue de Stokis 188
J T Dubois operated at Rue Souverain-Pont No. 314.

They produced standard Belgian, Liège and Paris patterns, also Animal Tarots, children’s cards, a fantasy design with decorative aces and Gatteaux's Empire cards, in several qualities and sizes. Their businesses were eventually taken over by G. Gluck, also of Liège.

Paris pattern - J.T Dubois

Above: double-ended Paris pattern piquet deck manufactured by J.T Dubois, Liège, c.1810-1820. Named courts. Stencil-coloured woodcut prints. The king of spades has the legend "J T DUBOIS" in the middle and the jack of clubs "A LIEGE". From the National Museum of the Playing Card collection, online here►

• Gatteaux's Empire cards published by J T Dubois, British Museum online collection►

• 18th Century Animal Tarot published by J B Dubois, British Museum online collection►

• 19th Century Animal Tarok published by J J Dubois, National Museum of the Playing Card online collection►

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Belgian pattern

Above: Belgian pattern manufactured by Dubois, Liège, mid-19th century. Based on the French Paris pattern, but unnamed courts and unconventional colour scheme. Stencil-coloured woodcut prints. The king of spades has the letters "DUB" in the middle and the jack of clubs "LIEGE".

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Liège pattern - J.J Dubois

Above: Liège pattern manufactured by J.J Dubois. Complete piquet pack of 32 playing-cards, hand-coloured woodcut, backs printed with a small black pattern, 19th century. The king of hearts holds a shield charged with an eagle, and that held by the king of clubs is charged with the fleur-de-lis of France. The king of spades holds a harp. The inscription on the knave of spades is "J. J. Dubois". © The Trustees of the British Museum online here►

Above: part of wrapper by J.J Dubois bearing the device "Aux trois Pigeons" and showing address at Rue de Stokis 188. © The Trustees of the British Museum online here►

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REFERENCES

Cremers, Filip: Kaartenmakers in Wallonië - Cartiers en Wallonie, Nationaal Museum van de Speelkaart, Turnhout, 1994

Gatteaux's Empire cards published by J T Dubois, British Museum online collection►

18th Century Animal Tarot published by J B Dubois, British Museum online collection►

19th Century Animal Tarok published by J J Dubois, National Museum of the Playing Card online collection►