Alphonse Arnoult Spanish-suited pack
Luxurious Spanish-suited pack made by Alphonse Arnoult, Paris, France, c.1850.
Finely executed designs with the maker’s name on the 5 of coins and “NAYPES REFINOS” on the Ace of coins. Extra decorative elements can be found on the 4 and 5 of coins, 2 and 4 of cups, 4 and 5 of swords, and 2, 3 and 4 of batons. Part printed, part stencil coloured and with square corners. Probably a luxury product as the cards are gilt-edged.
Above: Spanish suited pack by Alphonse Arnoult c.1850. 48 cards, gilt-edged.
Personal note: this pack was given to me about 40 years ago by an elderly cousin of my father’s. She told me that it had been picked up by a great-aunt of hers while on a European Grand Tour. It came with a standard Russian pack of approximately the same date. Both were/are in excellent condition.
A copy of this pack can also be viewed on the Bibliothèque nationale de France website, with a different back design: Cartes de tête d'un jeu au portrait espagnol, Alphonse Arnoult, Paris, 1850-1860►
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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