French Costumes
The French taste for elegant, well engraved costume playing cards started during the early 19th century. O. Gibert of Paris produced a series of such fashion packs, or packs depicting historical characters.
O. Gibert, Paris: French Costumes, c.1848
Elegant, romantic and sophisticated!
The French taste for elegant, well engraved costume playing cards started during the early 19th century. O. Gibert of Paris produced a series of such fashion packs, or packs depicting historical characters. This example is known as 'Cartes Parisiennes'. Being hand coloured, there was no consistency from deck to deck. Each version surpasses the last one in exquisiteness, delicacy and charm.
Designs by Jean-Marie Blanquière.
Above: French Costume playing cards published by O. Gibert, Paris, c.1850. The cards measure approximately 2¼ x 3½ inches [85x54 mms]. Because they were hand made, they are not all exactly the same size, some cards vary by just a tiny bit. The backs are overall plain pink or blue. Images courtesy Rod Starling.
By Rod Starling (1936-2023)
United States • Member since January 09, 2013
Rod Starling was one of the founding members of the 52 Plus Joker card collectors club. He authored many articles for the club's quarterly newsletter, Clear the Decks. His collection encompasses both foreign and American decks. Rod also authored a book titled The Art and Pleasures of Playing Cards.
Activity for French Costumes
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Zewd Historical Deck
Ethiopian imperial history, from Tewodros II to Haile Selassie.
Figures from Romanian History
Named characters from Romanian history on a pack by Grimaud of Paris.
Saga aka King Arthur
Capturing the spirit of medieval legend on playing cards.
Jeu des 7 familles 7 époques
A Happy Families-type card game depicting 7 historical periods, with designs by Paul Durand.
Munich is Trumps
Famous men and women associated with Munich on a pack with dual suits.
Jeux de Cartes de la Haute-Marne
Double pack featuring historical figures and local views of the Haute-Marne, to mark its bicentenary...
Polish Kings and Queens – red deck
Polish kings and queens plus the court jester, illustrated in a distinctive style inspired by histor...
Jeu Numismatique
European coins of all periods replace the traditional courts and pips.
Romania playing cards
Romanian voivodes and their wives from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Historical playing cards by Joseph Fetscher
Historical playing cards by Joseph Fetscher, Munich, c.1820.
Fashion costume pack by O. Gibert
Elegant fashion costume deck published by O. Gibert, Paris c.1860.
Les Ordres de Chevalerie
Six orders of chivalry represented pictorially by the artist Patrick Dallanégra.
Les Mousquetaires Playing Cards
depicting characters from the novel by Alexandre Dumas
Dutch Historical playing cards
Advertising for Mopenco, the Dutch Fountain Pen King
French Costumes
During the early 19th century. O. Gibert of Paris produced a series of such fashion packs, or packs ...
Jeu des Rois de France
This beautifully engraved and pleasing deck designed in 1856 has French Kings and consorts as the Ki...
Jeu de Costumes Historiques
These cards are from neatly etched plates, and are carefully coloured. The court cards present full-...
Jeu de Costumes Historiques Anglais
The courts are full-length figures of English historical personages.
O. Gibert, Paris c.1840-60
Gibert was a master card-maker whose fashionable playing cards were of a very high standard.
Spanish Historical Characters playing cards, c.1896
Cards from the Spanish Historical Characters playing cards set printed by Litografía Madriguera (Bar...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
