Jeanne d’Arc, “La pucelle d’Orléans”
Joan of Arc and her contemporaries in a colourful pack designed by Patrice Louis.
This colourful pack about Joan of Arc (1412-1431) and her French and English contemporaries immediately reminds one of the manuscript illuminations known as “Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry” created between c1412 and 1416. No doubt this was the intention of the artist of the present pack, Patrice Louis. Joan of Arc (QH), the Maid of Orleans, has quite a modern look but the facial features of the other subjects are less flattering. The aces carry symbols associated with Joan of Arc, notably the sword and crown (AH), also used for the back design. The numeral cards are plain. Oddly, the Joker includes a club suit-sign four times; no, this is not the Jack of Clubs, as the court cards are marked in French (R, D, V). Blue was used as an alternative back colour. See the box►
Above: Jeanne d’Arc, “La pucelle d’Orléans” playing cards published by Editions Arts et Lettres, Nancy, France, 1976. Printed by J.M. Simon (Grimaud). 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 1 double-sided extra card in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm.
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.
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