Cartes à jouer républicaines
Political cards engraved by Gaillard in Lyon during the Franco-Prussian War and the birth of the Third Republic.
These cards belong to the years 1869–1871, when France passed through the collapse of the Second Empire, the Franco-Prussian War, the siege of Paris and the turbulent birth of the Third Republic. The city of Lyon, where Galliard was active as an engraver and lithographer, was a major centre for politically engaged popular imagery. Allegorical figures and caricature portraits flooded the market: broadsheets, satirical journals, prints and playing cards.
Above: 12 cards from an uncut sheet of “Cartes à jouer républicaines” engraved by Gaillard, Lyon, in around 1870. © Bibliothèque nationale de France
Coloured versions of the cards are preserved in the British Museum. The kings are replaced by portraits of Garibaldi, Trochu, Jules Favre and Gambetta; the queens by figures of “France”, “Liberté”, “Egalité” and “Fraternité”; and the knaves by figures of “La Gloire”, “Mobile”, “Garde Nationale” and “Franc-Tireur”.
Above: 12 hand-coloured cards, backs printed in black and white with a small check pattern, circa 1870. The name Gaillard appears on several cards. © The Trustees of the British Museum
References
Bibliothèque nationale de France (gallica.bnf.fr) : Cartes à jouer républicaines►
British Museum : numbers 1896,0501.669.1-31 & 1896-0501-598-1-32►
O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 (French 24) [digital version here]
By Simon Wintle
Spain • 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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