Jeu de Costumes Historiques
These cards are from neatly etched plates, and are carefully coloured. The court cards present full-length figures in character costumes.
Historical Costumes by O. Gibert, Paris, c.1853
The court cards in this Jeu des Costumes Historiques present full-length figures in character costumes of the 16th and 17th centuries, and are named as follows: in Hearts the Roi is Bussy d'Amboise, the Dame, Dame de Monsoreau; the Valet a groom holding a horse, without title. In Clubs the Roi is Cinq-Mars, the Dame Marion Delorme; the Valet, bearing glasses on a salver, is untitled. The King of Diamonds is the Chevalier d'Eon, the Dame, the Comtesse de Rochefort. The Valet is a footman, without title, but on the base of a pilaster is the address Gibert a Paris. In the suit of Spades the Roi is Comte de Brissac, the Dame, Diane de Poitiers, the Valet is without title and holds a greyhound by a string, and at the left-hand lower corner is engraved the word France.
Later edition by Avril et Cie, Paris, c.1865
Stanislas-Désiré Avril
produced a series of fashionable costume packs, including this design inherited from O. Gibert. In this version the four kings have a crown above the suit indicator, and the four aces have been re-drawn. Also, the jack of hearts has the legend “Avril à Paris” on the block at lower-left.“Trajes Franceses 1850” published by Heraclio Fournier, 1975
REFERENCES
Willshire, William Hughes, "A descriptive catalogue of playing and other cards in the British Museum, accompanied by a concise general history of the subject and remarks on cards of divination and of a politico-historical character," Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1876 (French 75).
Bibliothèque nationale de France: Cartes parisiennes : jeu des costumes historiques français►
By Rod Starling (1936-2023)
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.
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