Jeu des Drapeaux c.1816

“Jeu des Drapeaux” is a game using a special pack in which the cards are depicted on banners carried by soldiers. These cards were issued in 1815 when the Emperor Napoleon I returned to France after a brief exile on Elba.

The pack commemorates his greatest battles, and the cards illustrate his troops and those of his enemies. Hearts depict the French; spades show English, Scottish and Irish troops. The Germans are diamonds and the Russian soldiers are clubs.

Above: “Jeu des Drapeaux” c.1816. Piquet pack, 32 cards. The cards have been cut from sheets and mounted, then bound in Morocco leather. Images courtesy John SIngs - www.gamesetal.net►

The court cards have queens as female figures on the flags, the kings shows Generals and their aids and the jacks portray single solders from their respective countries. The aces depict soldiers with cannon(s) all other cards show rows of soldiers in various positions.

Above: “Jeu des Drapeaux” uncut sheet, hand-coloured etching, c.1815. The tile card at bottom-left has the names of all the great victories from Ulm to Moscow on the pillar. © V&A Museum [E.408-2005] London. Photograph by Adam Wintle.