Jeu de 7 familles Les Dynasties d’Artisans Basques
Long-standing Basque businesses represented in a traditional card game with illustrations by Odile Artéon.
Tradition and savoir-faire seem to be the hallmarks of many Basque businesses. The ones represented in this 7 familles game have all been in existence for several generations, the oldest dating back to 1660! The names used in the game are not those of the family businesses but rather they are connected to what they sell or produce: for example, the Maison Adam is famous for its macaroons (famille Macaron), the Maison Laulhère for its berets (famille Dubéret), etc. The illustrator, Odile Artéon, has used a different range of colours for each family. Her designs – and even the style of lettering – are reminiscent of another jeu de 7 familles from the same part of the world, the Jeu des 7 familles basques. The booklet contains details about each business and what they are famous for.
Above: Jeu de 7 familles Les Dynasties d’Artisans Basques illustrated by Odile Artéon and published by Thomas éditions, France, c2021. Printer unknown. 42 cards + booklet in presentation box. Size: 70 x 91 mm. Purchased in Espelette, June 2021.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact
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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