Paris pattern by Leclaire of Paris
Standard designs from a little-known Parisian maker.
Let’s face it – standard French packs of the late 19th and early 20th centuries can be rather boring and often anonymous. This one at least has the maker’s name on all the court cards (“LECLAIRE, à PARIS.”). Leclaire is known to have made cards between 1873 and 1889. The things that stand out about this pack are the fresh colours (especially the vibrant yellow), the matt finish, and the stiffness of the board. Also, the court cards do not have their traditional names (Alexandre, Judith, etc.). On the undecorated Aces, the two small suit-signs in the corners – in themselves an unusual feature, more common on packs made in Belgium – are set at a jaunty angle. The back pattern is made up of tiny rose-coloured squares interspersed with dots.
Above: standard Paris pattern by Leclaire of Paris, c.1880. 32 cards. Size: 55 x 86.5 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.
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