Canadian heritage playing cards

An attractive double deck of cards published by Robert Davies Publishing of Quebec, titled “Canadian Heritage Playing Cards.” The same cards were also published in a French language version under the title, “Le jeu de cartes Québécois” The cards of this English language version are accompanied by a sheet of paper in English that begins with the following statement:

“The Canadian Heritage Playing Card set was designed by the painter Gabriel de Beney, to recall the turbulent beginnings of Canadian history. The evocative imagery of the face cards symbolizes the society that long ago preceded ours and pays homage to the men and women who, each in his or her own way, played a vital role in those colonial times.”

Turning to the cards themselves, each deck has 52 suited cards, plus 2 Jokers (the same), plus 2 extra cards announcing the deck. The cards are wide, measuring 89mm x 63mm. The figures depicted are not specific historical persons, but rather types of persons that played an important role in the history of the territory called “New France.”

• The Kings are: a native chieftain; a Governor of New France; a farmer; and a trapper
• The Queens are: a noble lady; a woman of the country; a native princess; and a nun
• The Jacks are: soldiers from four 18th century regiments

Above: Canadian Heritage Playing Cards designed by Gabriel de Beney and published by Robert Davies Publishing of Quebec, 1994. 52 cards plus 2 Jokers plus 2 extra cards; 89mm x 63mm.

Gabriel De Beney studied in France, where he was part of the Parisien art scene. In 1956, he returned to his native Québec, where he began a collaboration with the Catholic publishing house Fides. He contributed to the publisher's bi-weekly magazine Hérauts starting 1955. He illustrated adventure stories like 'La Sonate de l'Aveugle', 'La Légende de Cadieux' and 'Les Trois Pommes et le calife'. He drew the series 'Ti-Rouge et Pompon' in alternance with Maurice Petitdidier. He also worked for the magazine Vidéo-Presse.

• Lambiek website: Gabriel de Beney►