Dessoris

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►