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Playing Cards from France

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French Playing Cards

Some of the oldest cards still in existence come from France. During the 16th and 17th centuries France was the major supplier of playing cards in Europe.

About France

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“Abd-el-Kader” by Fossorier, Amar et Cie for Algeria

“Abd-el-Kader” by Fossorier, Amar et Cie for Algeria

Spanish National pattern produced by Fossorier, Amar et Cie (Paris) for Algeria, around 1902.

  • 1902
“Deck with French suits”

“Deck with French suits”

A facsimile of an early 19th century French-suited deck from the collection of F.X. Schmid.

16th Century French Playing Cards based on Illustrations by Gurney Benham

16th Century French Playing Cards based on Illustrations by Gurney Benham

This pack of cards by Rose & Pentagram is said to be based off Pierre Marechal, Rouen pack from the 1600s, but they are actually copies of drawings by Gurney Benham from his book Playing Cards: Their History and Secrets from 1930.

  • 2006
1900 Jeu de Cartes

1900 Jeu de Cartes

‘Jeu de Cartes 1900’ designed by Marie Christine Schira in the Art Nouveau or Jugendstil style, 1979.

  • 1979
54 Affiches Retro

54 Affiches Retro

54 different old French advertising posters, mainly for travel and health products.

  • 1991
61: French regional patterns: the kings

61: French regional patterns: the kings

On page 11 I illustrated several examples of the regional French patterns from Sylvia Mann's collection; this is a more in-depth look at the figures of these patterns ("portraits" in French).

62: French regional patterns: the queens and jacks

62: French regional patterns: the queens and jacks

Continuing our look at the figures from the regional patterns of France.

63: The descendants of the French regional patterns: 1

63: The descendants of the French regional patterns: 1

A great many regional patterns were exported from France and subsequently copied elsewhere. Some of them became local standards in their own right.

64: The descendants of the French regional patterns: 2

64: The descendants of the French regional patterns: 2

A continuation of the development of the off-spring of the Paris patterns and a few examples of how the French regional figures have inspired modern designers.

7 Familles Le Manège Enchanté

7 Familles Le Manège Enchanté

The Magic Roundabout characters on a jeu de 7 familles designed by James Hodges.

  • 1965
A. Camoin & Cie

A. Camoin & Cie

This deck was inherited from ancestors, it has has a family history surrounding it. Details of the lives of previous owners make it all so fascinating.

A. Camoin & Cie, Casablanca & Marseille

A. Camoin & Cie, Casablanca & Marseille

Spanish national pattern by A. Camoin & Cie, Casablanca & Marseille

Alcatel

Alcatel

Alcatel playing cards published by Éditions Dusserre, c.1970s

Algeria

Algeria

Spanish suited playing cards produced by B. P. Grimaud (Paris) for Algeria, around 1910.

  • 1910
Alphonse Arnoult

Alphonse Arnoult

Finely engraved deck by Alphonse Arnoult (Paris), c.1860. 52 cards.

  • 1860
Alphonse Arnoult Spanish-suited pack

Alphonse Arnoult Spanish-suited pack

Luxurious Spanish-suited pack made by Alphonse Arnoult, Paris, France, c.1850.

  • 1850
Aluette by Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850

Aluette by Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850

Aluette game by Fabrique Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850.

  • 1850
Amorous Translucent Playing Cards

Amorous Translucent Playing Cards

Amorous Translucent Playing Cards, French, c.1850.

  • 1850
Antoine de Logiriera

Antoine de Logiriera

Archaic Spanish-suited playing cards published in Toulouse by Antoine de Logiriera (1495-1518).

Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern

Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern

Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern by Guillaume & Jean Grossard (Bordeaux).

  • 1690