O. Gibert, Paris c.1840-60
Gibert was a master card-maker whose fashionable playing cards were of a very high standard.
O. Gibert, mid-19th century, Paris
Gibert was a master card-maker whose fashionable playing cards were of a very high standard. Gibert produced a range of elegant, neatly etched and hand-coloured costume playing cards during the mid-19th century, depicting contemporary fashion or that of bygone eras. 
Packs were French-suited and usually came in an engraved paper wrapper with an ornamental title and an allegorical figure. Not a lot is known about the artist who sometimes signs as: “Gibert, a Paris, or “O Gibert Fabr. Paris” or “Paris Rue des Singes No. 3” except that his (or her) packs of hand-coloured playing cards are today much admired by collectors.
Above: cards from hand-coloured lithographed pack "Troubadour" with double-ended courts by O. Gibert, Paris, c.1858-60. 83x55 mms. Plain blue backs. The style of the costumes is historic in character. The suit marks on the Aces are contained within an arabesque ornament. The maker's name appears on the edge of the Jack of Clubs' shield.
Above: French Costumes, c.1848
Above: English Historical Costumes, c.1856
Note: there seems to be some confusion regarding the titles of these similar French costume decks. Many of the wrappers have the title "Cartes Parisienne", but where the cards actually depict English historical personages, they are also known as "Jeu de Costumes Historiques Anglais", which leads to confusion with the deck below and also a Grimaud costume deck of the same name.
Above: “Historical Costumes Playing Cards”, c.1853
Above: fashion costume deck published by O. Gibert, c.1860.
Thanks to Rod Starling for generously sharing his knowledge and contributing images of cards from his collection.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
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.
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