Redrawn French pattern (Héron)
Redrawn French pattern retaining traditional elements.
This was one of several redrawn versions of the French pattern by both Héron and Grimaud to appear in the late 1970s and 1980s. There is no colour in the faces of the courts, with the lines representing their hair being a particularly strong feature. The traditional names (David, Alexandre, etc.) are retained but they are more discreet than on older packs.



Above: redrawn French 'Paris' pattern playing cards published by Cartes à Jouer Héron advertising Hotel Lutétia Concorde in Paris, c.1975. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 bridge score card in tuck box. Size: 57 x 87 mm.
At this time, J.C. Dusserre was styling himself as just that, without the addition of the word ‘Editions’. His name appears on the bottom end of the box. The box itself is of a rather old-fashioned type, where the name of the advertiser appears in a blank panel on one side of the box. In this instance, the advertiser is the Hotel Lutétia Concorde in Paris (now simply called Hotel Lutétia), a luxury hotel on the Left Bank opposite the department store Au Bon Marché. The attractive back design in dull orange and brown is repeated on one side of the box.

By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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.

Bertschinger y Codina - Cartes Françaises
French ‘Paris’ pattern made by Bertschinger y Codina, Barcelona, c.1850.

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.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days