The World of Playing Cards Logo
Published September 29, 2010 Updated July 11, 2023

Richard Bouvier

The assorted antique playing cards shown below are examples of the French 'Paris' pattern from the seventeenth century. The Jack of Clubs has the name Richard Bouvier.

France Bouvier Add to Collection
detail from seventeenth century French playing-card by Richard Bouvier

Seventeenth century French playing cards

Richard Bouvier

The assorted antique, single-ended playing cards shown below are examples of the French 'Paris' pattern from the seventeenth century. The Jack of Clubs has a mermaid in a small medallion, and the name Richard Bouvier who was a seventeenth century manufacturer working in Rouen and/or Abbeville. The colour scheme including purple is also present on the Jack of Spades (third card, top row) who has a small dog by his leg. The other cards have a different colour palette and may be by a different maker; also the differences in the shape of the suit symbols suggests different makers and dates. As was the custom in France at this time, the cards are named from characters in epic narratives or heroes of antiquity.

Seventeenth century French playing-cards, Richard Bouvier

Above: assorted seventeenth century French playing-cards, one of which has the manufacturer's name Richard Bouvier (Jack of Clubs). Woodblock and stencil printing. The cards appear to have been used for various secondary purposes (see below).

Seventeenth century French playing-cards, Richard Bouvier

Above: the reverse of the cards reveals several different secondary uses, which are not obvious to explain. Some cards have been folded and pierced, maybe used as stiffening, whilst others have been used for writing various pieces of information.

avatar
1,416 Articles

By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.


Related Articles

Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds

Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds

A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

1995 Les métiers et leurs protecteurs

Les métiers et leurs protecteurs

“Les métiers et leurs protecteurs” playing cards published by Editions Dusserre, c. 1995.

1994 Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Famous people associated with Nicolas Fouquet’s splendid château of Vaux-le-Vicomte.

1975 Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis

Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis

French navigators and explorers on a promotional pack for the C.M.C.R shipping company.

2007 Shrek the Third playing cards

Shrek the Third playing cards

Characters from the 2007 film Shrek the Third, a DreamWorks Animation production.

1983 Jeu de cartes Armelle

Jeu de cartes Armelle

Advertising pack designed by James Hodges for a company specialising in regional cakes and biscuits....

1976 Jeanne d’Arc, “La pucelle d’Orléans”

Jeanne d’Arc, “La pucelle d’Orléans”

Joan of Arc and her contemporaries in a colourful pack designed by Patrice Louis.

1988 Costumes Alsaciens

Costumes Alsaciens

Typical costumes and views of Alsace together with lists of the principal sights.

1981 Les “Œufs de Cartes” de Krasno

Les “Œufs de Cartes” de Krasno

Egg-shaped cards created by Rodolfo Krasno employing photographic images by Michel Leclerc.

1830 French Cartomancy cards, c.1830

French Cartomancy cards, c.1830

French Cartomancy cards published by J. Gaudais; printed by Mansion, Paris, c.1830.

1973 Le Jeu des Peintres

Le Jeu des Peintres

Modern designs by 19 contemporary artists including Peynet and Hodges.

1990 Jeu de cartes des Opéras romantiques

Jeu de cartes des Opéras romantiques

Costumes from four operas premiered at the Paris Opera between 1830 and 1840.

1983 Les Montgolfières 1783-1983

Les Montgolfières 1783-1983

Honouring the bicentenary of the Montgolfier brothers’ first balloon flights in 1783.

2002 Sa Majesté, le roi des jeux de cartes

Sa Majesté, le roi des jeux de cartes

A colourful pack aimed at children, with illustrations by Muriel Kerba.

1971 Gibert Jeune

Gibert Jeune

Publicity pack for Gibert Jeune, the famous Parisian bookshop, with designs by James Hodges.

1820 Costumes des Peuples Étrangers

Costumes des Peuples Étrangers

Costumes des Peuples Étrangers & Jeu d’Or dedicated to young people and likely used for games and fo...

1806 Le Nouvel Etteilla

Le Nouvel Etteilla

“Le Nouvel Etteilla” cartomancy deck published in Paris by La Veuve Gueffier, 1806.

1807 Le Petit Oracle des Dames

Le Petit Oracle des Dames

Le Petit Oracle des Dames ou Récréation des Curieux, Paris, 1807.

1989 Révolution 1789-1989

Révolution 1789-1989

Révolution 1789-1989, celebrating the bicentenary of the French revolution, France, 1989

1959 Scaramouche

Scaramouche

Scaramouche cartes à jouer with designs by Henri Favre, published by Triboulet, France.

1989 Jeu Tour de France 89 (Domex)

Jeu Tour de France 89 (Domex)

Cyclists from the Domex-Weinmann team who took part in the 1989 Tour de France.

1690 Auvergne Pattern

Auvergne Pattern

The Auvergne pattern is one of the oldest in France.

1900 Cartes Catalanes by Fossorier, Amar et Cie

Cartes Catalanes by Fossorier, Amar et Cie

‘Cartes Catalanes’ published by Fossorier, Amar et Cie (Paris)

1880 B.P. Grimaud pack for Bolivia

B.P. Grimaud pack for Bolivia

Spanish-suited pack made in France for sale in Bolivia, c.1880.

1860 Fashion costume pack by O. Gibert

Fashion costume pack by O. Gibert

Elegant fashion costume deck published by O. Gibert, Paris c.1860.

1840 Jeu de cartes abécédaire

Jeu de cartes abécédaire

An educational card game designed by F. Séré and published by Lithographie Musicale de Boboeuf, Par...

1650 The Parisian Tarot

The Parisian Tarot

The “Parisian Tarot”, early 1600s, with imagery and design synthesizing several influences.

1788 Jeu de Cartomancie pour l’amusement des Dames

Jeu de Cartomancie pour l’amusement des Dames

Early French Cartomancy deck "for the amusement of Ladies" but also referred to as "Jeu divinatoire ...

1880 Joseph Bardou & Fils cigarette papers

Joseph Bardou & Fils cigarette papers

Delightful pack advertising Joseph Bardou & Fils cigarette papers for the Philippines.

1850 Aluette by Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850

Aluette by Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850

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

2004 Vieux gréements

Vieux gréements

Illustrations by Yannick Pennanguer of old sailing ships for Brest 2004, a maritime festival.

1995 Les 7 Familles Pyrénées

Les 7 Familles Pyrénées

Mountains, flowers, animals, tourist sites of the Pyrenees, all drawn by the artist Pertuzé.

1996 Jeu des 7 Familles Spider-Man

Jeu des 7 Familles Spider-Man

Colourful card game featuring the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man and some of his fearsome advers...

1995 CNES playing cards

CNES playing cards

Fully pictorial pack featuring rockets, satellites, scientists and views from space.

1644 Instructive and Educational Playing Cards

Instructive and Educational Playing Cards

Playing cards with an educational and instructive purpose first trended in mid-17th century France, ...

2002 Le Jeu d’Issy

Le Jeu d’Issy

Bold designs by Jacques Auriac representing people and enterprises for which the town of Issy-les-Mo...

1970 Cartavi

Cartavi

Promotional pack for AVI paints, with 54 different colours on the backs.

2000 Le Jeu de la Chance

Le Jeu de la Chance

Original designs by French artist Jean Vérame, with clubs replaced by four-leaf clovers to bring goo...

1976 Jeanne l’Hachette

Jeanne l’Hachette

Jeanne l’Hachette reprint of 19th century transformation deck, Denmark, 1976.

1985 Conseil Général de la Somme

Conseil Général de la Somme

Famous people and places of the Somme department in northern France, with designs by James Hodges.

2000 Les Chemins de Saint-Jacques

Les Chemins de Saint-Jacques

Paintings, statues, monuments and maps associated with different routes to Compostela.