Rois de France
Figures from French history restyled for a younger audience published by Quelle Histoire, 2015.
History as told to children doesn’t have to involve “dumbing down”; however, that does appear to be the case here. The childlike, cartoon-style images of what the publishers consider to be France’s four greatest kings and their consorts are clearly aimed at a younger audience. In fairness, the designs are in keeping with other educational products from the same publisher. No dates or biographical information are provided so presumably one has to purchase another product from the publisher to find out more. Fleurs-de-lys feature prominently in the back design. Though well printed, the cards are not on proper playing-card board. See the box►
Above: Rois de France educational playing cards for younger audience, published by Quelle Histoire and made in France by LabelFab, 2015. 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 55 x 84 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.
Activity for Rois de France
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
David’s fortune-telling cards
Entertaining and easy-to-use fortune-telling cards published by David, Paris, c.1895.
French pattern (Conver)
French pattern produced in Marseille c.1850 by the widow of Nicolas Conver.
Jeu Buffon
Illustrations of different birds from works by Buffon to celebrate the bicentenary of his death.
Redrawn French pattern (Héron)
Redrawn French pattern retaining traditional elements.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! playing cards
Strange facts from Robert Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not’ books, in the form of cartoons.
MISSCŒUR
Elongated cards from France with a fourth court card, a Miss.
Costumes Alsaciens
Typical costumes and views of Alsace together with lists of the principal sights.
Jeu de Familles Les Pierrafeu®
Quartet game featuring The Flintstones and friends.
The story behind some special Jokers
How the “Gibbons” Jokers came into being.
Paris pattern by Leclaire of Paris
Standard designs from a little-known Parisian maker.
Paris pattern variant from Lyon, c1900
Updated courts retaining elements of a standard French pack by C. Gerentes, Lyon.
Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones
Publicity pack featuring various historical figures “on the ‘phone”.
Jeu de Cartes Éclats
A kaleidoscope of form and colour encapsulated in a contemporary pack of playing cards.
Le Jeu des Chats (Dubout)
Cartoon-style illustrations of cats on playing cards created by the French artist Albert Dubout.
Voutch
Comic designs by the French artist Olivier Vouktchevitch.
Disneyland Paris
Disney characters deck from Euro Disney, Marne la Vallée, France, c.2000.
Revolutionary playing cards
Revolutionary playing cards with decapitated courts published by ATYPYK, Paris, 2010.
Marie and Laurent’s Wedding
Wedding invitation and thank you card in the form of playing cards. France, 2019.
Vivacidol
Advertising pack for Vivacidol pharmaceutical product, France, c.1960s.
Jeu de 54 cartes
Jeu de 54 cartes, completely anonymous, designed to resemble locally produced French packs.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
