Cartes Catalanes
Cartes Catalanes are used in a small area in the Eastern Pyrenees region of Southern France.
French Catalan pattern
Cartes Catalanes by Dieudonné et Cie, France, c.1895
These Spanish-suited cards are used in a small area in the Eastern Pyrenees region of Southern France which has strong Catalan traditions. The French Catalan pattern seems to have developed its own identity in Perpignan during the nineeenth century. The designs are derived from the old “Spanish National” pattern but are different from the Spanish Catalan pattern. The broken frame lines, or ‘pintas’, have been preserved.
Above: Cartes Catalanes by Dieudonné et Cie, Angers & Paris, France, c.1895. The cards are manufactured by descendents of Jean Dieudonné of Grevenmacher (c.1720-1795).
Cartes Catalanes by La Ducale, France
Above: Cartes Catalanes are used in a small area in the Eastern Pyrenees region of Southern France, 48 cards.
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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