Cartes enfantines

It is not known precisely when the first playing cards were made specifically for children. However, a number of manufacturers, notably in France and in Germany, are known to have produced cards for children during the second half of the 18th century. Some of these have survived in sheet form.

The set shown here uses standard Paris pattern courts of the period but with added decoration: the aces all have garlands, while the 2s all include a bird. Such decoration was often found on cards of this type. Mottoes popular since the reign of Louis XIII appear on all the aces: “Vive le Roi”, “Vive la Reine”, “J’aime l’Amour”, “Et la Cour”. At the foot of the Jack of Clubs is the maker’s name, Paumier. This is most likely to be Mathieu Paumier who is recorded in D’Allemagne [1] as being active in Paris in 1761.

Cartes Enfantines made by Mathieu(?) Paumier, Paris, c1770. 52 cards. Size: 36 x 51 mm. The cards are stencil-coloured except for the outlines of the courts, the pips on the black suits and the outlines of the pips on the red suits. They have square corners and blank backs.

I was pleased to acquire these children's cards recently. They don't appear to be very common, especially in good condition.

Reference

1. D’Allemagne, Henry-René. Les Cartes à Jouer du XIVe au XXe siècle. Vol. I, pp 274-280.