Boisse English pattern
Boisse English pattern, c.1870 based on designs by De La Rue.
Standard English pattern published by Eugene Boisse, c.1870
Above: uncut sheet of standard English pattern full-figure courts, ornate blue outlines, printed by Eugene Boisse, Bordeaux, c.1870. There had been a trend of ornamented court cards since the 1840s when De La Rue's letterpress printing technology facilitated a move away from woodblocks.
Right: De La Rue's designs used between c.1840-65 with more fancy patterning on the clothes, also with blue outlines. These became the basis for all De La Rue's later double-ended courts and comparison with the example by Boisse shown above reveals a close similarity.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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