Les Montgolfières 1783-1983

Published October 09, 2023 • Updated October 23, 2023

Honouring the bicentenary of the Montgolfier brothers’ first balloon flights in 1783.

The attractiveness of early hot-air balloons is fully conveyed in this delightful pack commemorating the bicentenary of the first balloon flights organised by the Montgolfier brothers. One learns from this pack and the accompanying booklet that there were many ascents in 1783 and the two years following. The balloons themselves form the main part of each design, with the head of the appropriate court card from a standard French pack in two corners. The images on the Aces are set within the outline of an enlarged suit-sign. In the background of each numeral card and twice on the reverse is a medallion with the heads of the Montgolfier brothers, Etienne and Joseph. Pale cream-coloured backgrounds are used throughout. Two different back colours were issued. See the box►

‘Les Montgolfières 1783-1983’ commemorative playing cards made and published by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1983

Above: ‘Les Montgolfières 1783-1983’ commemorative playing cards with French indices made and published by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France, 1983. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 42-page booklet in French, English and Spanish, in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm. © Ets J.-M. Simon - France Cartes - France 1983.

See the booklet►

A later edition of the same pack was produced with indices in English and the addition of a blank card.

‘Les Montgolfières 1783-1983’ commemorative playing cards made and published by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France

Above: ‘Les Montgolfières 1783-1983’ commemorative playing cards with English indices made and published by France Cartes, Saint-Max, France. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 blank card + 42-page booklet in French, English and Spanish, in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm. © Ets J.-M. Simon - France Cartes - France 1983.

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By Roddy Somerville

France • 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.