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Playing Cards from France

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.

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“Abd-el-Kader” by Fossorier, Amar et Cie for Algeria 1902

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

Spanish National pattern produced by Fossorier, Amar et Cie (Paris) for Algeria, around 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 2006

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.

1900 Jeu de Cartes 1979

1900 Jeu de Cartes

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

54 Affiches Retro 1991

54 Affiches Retro

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

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.

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 1910

Algeria

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

Alphonse Arnoult 1860

Alphonse Arnoult

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

Alphonse Arnoult Spanish-suited pack 1850

Alphonse Arnoult Spanish-suited pack

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

Aluette by Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850 1850

Aluette by Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850

Aluette game by Fabrique Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, for Spanish market, c.1850.

Amorous Translucent Playing Cards 1850

Amorous Translucent Playing Cards

Amorous Translucent Playing Cards, French, c.1850.

Antoine de Logiriera

Antoine de Logiriera

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

Astérix 1987

Astérix

Cartes à Jouer ‘Astérix’ published by Ducale, 1987.

Atouts de la Vie 1940

Atouts de la Vie

“Atouts de la Vie” wartime card game created by Madame Lucien Willemetz, c.1940.