Dessoris
Spanish-suited cards by Dessoris, Perpignan, which anticipate the French Catalan pattern.
The Dessoris cardmaking dynasty was founded by François Dessoris who settled in Pepignan in 1805-1806. Apprenticed in a playing card factory in Montpellier, he married the daughter of the owner: Marie-Antoinette Boissonnade. He then inherited the family business which he transferred to Perpignan. He died in 1843 and his son Joseph Dessoris succeeded him. He in turn disappeared in 1845 and it was the women who managed the business until the end of the 19th century (Jean-Pierre Garrigue, 2014).
The two packs shown below, by Dessoris in Perpignan, derive from the old Spanish National pattern, but with local idiosyncrasies which later emeged as the French Catalan pattern used in the French Pyrenees region. In both examples the ace of coins has the arms of Spain with scrolls reading "Dessoris a Perpignan", while "Dessoris, France" is printed on every court card. Also a cat motif is seen on the fours of coins. In the second example several court cards have moved away from the Spanish National pattern into poses found in the French Catalan pattern. In both examples there are small index numbers in the corners and border breaks, or pintas to indicate the suits.




Above: Spanish-suited cards by Dessoris, Perpignan, 19th century. Backs plain, 48 cards, hand-coloured woodcut. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number 1896,0501.843




Above: Spanish-suited cards by Dessoris, Perpignan, 19th century, 48 cards, hand-coloured woodcut. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number 1896,0501.842
References
British Museum: Museum number 1896,0501.843 and 1896,0501.842►
Jean-Pierre Garrigue, the History of Catalan Playing Cards, online summary: Tuesday, February 25, 2014►

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

Le Journal de Mickey
Perforated sheet of cards with Disney characters issued with the magazine Le Journal de Mickey.

Tarot hiéroglyphique égyptien
The design of the cards draws inspiration from various religious and philosophical traditions merged...

La Réussite (Sébastien Féraut)
Sébastien Féraut’s designs inspired by the animal kingdom for a set promoting patience games.

Le Tarot de Sète
Reinterpretation of the Tarot de Marseille by Julien Labat, an artist from Sète.

Oracle Rock
Cartomantic set depicting rock and pop stars, designed by La Rata, with a book by Virginie Despentes...

Jeu Numismatique
European coins of all periods replace the traditional courts and pips.

Jeu Philatélique
Cards with French postage stamps featuring famous literary figures.

Tarot Philatélique
Tarot game pack with French postage stamps on all the courts, aces and trumps.

Jeu Philatélique – Les Colonies Françaises
Philatelic card game featuring real postage stamps from the French colonies.

Tarot Actuel 1984
Major arcana to cut out, issued with the French magazine Actuel, using photographic images.

Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse
Spanish pattern published by Eugène Boisse, Bordeaux.

Catalan pattern by B.P Grimaud
Standard Spanish Catalan pattern deck made in Paris by B.P Grimaud.

Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité
Political playing cards published by Grimaud et Chartier, Paris, 1872.

Le Poker Politique
French politicians and various world leaders caricatured by the German artist Bubec.

Swiss playing cards by Iehan Hemau
17th century Swiss-suited playing cards by Iehan Hemau of Épinal.

SCOR playing cards
Bizarre and fantastical images by the artist Roland Topor for the SCOR reinsurance company.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days