Genoese pattern
The design is purely 'Parisian' but the colouring is green, red, yellow and black. Belgium has taken this pattern for general use.
Purely 'Parisian' pattern in design, but the colouring is green, red, yellow and black. 40 or 52 cards. The pack is basically an export pattern from post-1827 France. Belgium has taken this pattern for general use and it is commonly found in many other parts of the world. For some reason the Jack of Clubs often bears a Spanish arms. It is distinguished from the Piedmont pattern by the diagonal division of the double-ended courts.
Above: Standard double-ended Genoese pattern cards from an uncut sheet manufactured by B. P. Grimaud, c.1920. Unlike the closely related 'Paris' pattern, the court cards are unnamed.
Below: Standard Genoese pattern playing cards, with French indices, manufactured by Van Genechten for Cigarrillo Holiday and the Estanco de Naipes del Perú, c.1965. The legend "Estanco de Naipes del Perú" is printed on the box and reverse of the cards in the centre of the advert for Holiday cigarettes.
See also: Naipes Side-Car Genoese type manufactured by Luis Fourvel, Buenos Aires, Argentina, c.1940 • Genoese Pattern by E. Pignalosa, Naples, c.1950.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact
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.
Related Articles
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.
Questions et réponses
Questions and answers card game by Devaluy, Bruges, c.1880.
B.P. Grimaud pack for Bolivia
Spanish-suited pack made in France for sale in Bolivia, c.1880.
Jeu de l’an 2
“Jeu de l’an 2” by Grimaud is a facsimile of French Revolutionary cards first published by Veuve Mou...
Back to the USSR
Back to the USSR deck featuring communist party leaders and politicians, c.1995
Glorious Russia
‘Glorious Russia’ playing cards made in France by Grimaud, c.1995
Genever Giraf
Dutch pattern advertising deck for Genever Giraf made by Van Genechten in the 1950s.
Manuf’d for L.N. Mann
Standard English pattern manuf’d for L.N. Mann by Van Genechten, c.1890.
Brepols Genoese pattern
“Cartes Françaises” and Genoese pattern by Brepols.
Masonic Playing Cards
A set of playing cards designed by Julien Lebleu, an original work in the history of Freemasonry. Je...
Lyon Pattern type iii
This pattern was used in various parts of eastern France but was ultimately replaced by the official...
S.S. France playing cards
A special non-standard pack of playing cards was designed by M. Marie for the maiden voyage of the t...
Livre du Destin
Livre du Destin / The Book of Fate, c.1900, entire deck (32 cards)
Livre du Destin
Livre du Destin or Book of Fate, printed by B.P.Grimaud, Paris, c.1900.
Standard Genoese
Van Genechten manufactured playing cards in various styles, including specially customised versions ...
Paris Pattern
The Paris pattern was established as such around the middle of the seventeenth century (based, perha...
French Playing Cards
Some of the oldest cards still in existence come from France. During the 16th and 17th centuries Fra...
Grimaud Spanish pattern
Grimaud Spanish pattern, c.1880
Escalada y Vidiella, Montevideo c.1860
Cards from a 40-card pack made in Belgium by Antoine van Genechten exclusively for the firm "Escalad...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
