Lequart Aluette
Spanish-suited Aluette pack with 'FABRICANDO IN MADRID' printed on the Two of Swords and the legend Lequart - Paris printed in the top left corners of the court cards.
Lequart, Paris - Aluette
Fifteenth century games such as "luettes" and "vaches" may have been the ancestors of the French card game of Aluette. Spanish-suited cards were used and earlier examples had few embellishments: the King of Coins wielded an axe and the 5 of Coins shows a kissing couple (presumably Ferdinand and Isabella). These gradually evolved into the idiosyncratic designs shown here including female 'cavalières', storks on the 2 and 3 of Cups, the lying cow, the little boy swinging on the 2 of Batons, the Indian on the Ace of Batons and so on. This is now known as the Modern Aluette pattern. See also → Dieudonné Aluette
Above: Spanish-suited Aluette pack with 'FABRICANDO IN MADRID' printed on the Two of Swords and the legend Lequart - Paris printed in the top left corners of the court cards. The Four of Coins (fourth row) carries the monogram 'CM' within a Star of David. Possibly made in Belgium in imitation of French production. Woodblock and stencil printing. The size of the cards is: 86 x 56 mms. See also → Dieudonné Aluette
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
Related Articles
Dessoris
Spanish-suited cards by Dessoris, Perpignan, which anticipate the French Catalan pattern.
Cartes Catalanes by Fossorier, Amar et Cie
‘Cartes Catalanes’ published by Fossorier, Amar et Cie (Paris)
Fashion costume pack by O. Gibert
Elegant fashion costume deck published by O. Gibert, Paris c.1860.
The Parisian Tarot
The “Parisian Tarot”, early 1600s, with imagery and design synthesizing several influences.
Aluette by Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850
Aluette game by Fabrique Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850.
Pierre Roiné Aluette
Archaic form of Aluette published by Pierre Roiné, Nantes, c.1785.
Jeu d'aluette by Fossorier, Amar et Cie
A very distinctive 48-card Spanish-suited pack is used to play Aluette.
Amorous Translucent Playing Cards
Amorous Translucent Playing Cards, French, c.1850.
Translucent Playing Cards
Translucent Playing Cards, 19th century French from the Biedermeier period
Éditions Dusserre, Paris
Éditions Dusserre, Paris.
Jeu D’Aluettes - Boéchat Frères c.1950
Jeu D’Aluettes manufactured by Boéchat Frères, Bordeaux, c.1950 with archaic Spanish features mixed ...
Livre du Destin
Livre du Destin or Book of Fate, printed by B.P.Grimaud, Paris, c.1900.
Richard Bouvier
The assorted antique playing cards shown below are examples of the French 'Paris' pattern from the s...
Dieudonné & Cie Aluette
Aluette playing cards manufactured by Dieudonné & Cie, Angers (France), early 20th century.
Alphonse Arnoult
Finely engraved deck by Alphonse Arnoult (Paris), c.1860. 52 cards.
Boisse English pattern
Boisse English pattern, c.1870 based on designs by De La Rue.
Translucent Erotic Playing Cards, page 2
Translucent Erotic Playing Cards, page 2
Translucent Playing Cards, c.1850
Cards from a translucent pack. Erotic images are concealed in the middle layer of the card and becom...
O. Gibert, Paris c.1840-60
Gibert was a master card-maker whose fashionable playing cards were of a very high standard.
Polaires - Foreign Legion Playing Cards
A Bridge-style deck featuring Foreign Legion paintings by Maitre Rosenberg.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
