Jeu Boléro

Sweeping curves in red and black were all that the artist J.L. Jolin needed to create this striking pack. A few essential elements (a crown, a flower, etc.) give clues as to which card is which. The pips have been given a modern look. ‘LA DUCALE’ and ‘MADE IN FRANCE’ appear across the central heart on the Ace of Hearts. The back design is also made up of swirling curves in red, black and white. Who was J.L. Jolin? Possibly an architect from Metz who was born in 1935 and who died in 2015. Judging from the sweeping curves, the artist may also have been a calligrapher. Does the name Boléro have anything to do with the Spanish dance of the same name? Not obviously so.

Above: Jeu Boléro published by La Ducale, Saint-Max, Nancy, France, c1962. 2 x 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 1 title card, in brown plastic wallet. Size: 63 x 88 mm.

If proof were needed that card players do play with non-standard packs, this set shows many signs of having been very well used! For all that, it remains a set which is hard to find nowadays

References

François, André. Histoire de la Carte à Jouer. Editions Jacques Freal, France, 1974. Chapter 10, illustration no. 29.

Janssen, Han. De Geschiedenis van de Speelkaart. Rijswijk, Netherlands: Elmar b.v.; 1985. p. 270.