Banque des Antilles Françaises
A pack with a distinctly Caribbean setting.
Banque des Antilles Françaises (Bank of the French West Indies) is a Grimaud pack issued around 1972 for the bank formed by a merger in 1967. The cards take their subject from Martinique and Guadeloupe, giving the pack a clear Caribbean setting.
Illustrated by James Hodges, the pack uses his characteristic style in scenes from the French overseas territories. The court figures wear bright, patterned costumes and broad hats, while the aces combine enlarged suit symbols with flowers and foliage. The backs continue the decorative treatment, with the Banque’s circular emblem appearing in green and red.
It comes in a double-sleeve cardboard box and includes 52 cards, 2 jokers and 1 score card. The cards measure 89 x 59 mm, and an alternative back design also exists; see the alternative back .
Above: the blue cardboard box, decorated with figures and a sun motif.
Above: court cards depicting figures in colourful Caribbean dress.
Above: court cards and aces, with floral forms used in place of standard central pips.
Above: the two jokers, score card, and the pack’s green and red back designs.
By Vincent Bérail
France • Member since June 22, 2026
Collectionneur français de cartes à jouer de 52 cartes. Principalement des jeux non standarts des années 1950 à 2000
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