Cartes Lenormand
“Cartes Lenormand” published by H. P. Gibson & Sons Ltd, London, printed in Germany by B. Dondorf, 1920s.
Cartes Lenormand by H.P. Gibson & Sons Ltd, 1920s
By a Famous Parisian Diviner...
French-suited “Cartes Lenormand” published by H. P. Gibson & Sons Ltd, London, printed chromolithographically in Germany by B. Dondorf. The set was probably published in the early 1920s because H. P. Gibson & Sons Ltd didn't exist until 1919 after Harry Gibson sold the International Playing Card Co (formed in 1903) to De la Rue. The retail price was 3/6d per pack.
Between c.1873 and 1933 Dondorf printed and published fortune telling decks in the style of Madame Lenormand. Dondorf also printed Lenormand fortune-telling cards for Carreras during the 1920s. To see a study of the different editions of Lenormand cards click here.
Above & Left: ‘Cartes Lenormand’ published by H.P. Gibson & Sons Ltd, 1920s. The cards were printed in Germany by B. Dondorf.
Below: Box from ‘Cartes Lenormand’ published by H.P. Gibson & Sons Ltd, 1920s.
Above: the back of the cards is the standard Dondorf back design, without any manufacturer's details overprinted. The booklet accompanying the pack states: The Art of Telling Fortunes "Lenormand" as professed by the celebrated Parisian Diviner Sylvia d'Arville - H.P. Gibson & Sons Ltd., London E.C.3. and then goes on to explain that Mlle Sylvia d'Arville is a most celebrated fortune-teller whose grand-mother predicted Napoleon, his greatness and his victories, and his subsequent fall and ruin.
Note: Mary Greer has shown that the earliest forerunner of the Lenormand cards is a 1796 book in English. See her blog: Mary K. Greer's Tarot Blog→
Note on Dondorf Lenormand cards from Roddy Somerville
I have an edition of the Dondorf Lenormand cards with a booklet in English, published by the International Card Co., London E.C. (De La Rue). The round Dondorf logo is present in the upper right-hand corner. Francfort is spelt with a 'c' so the cards ought to date from 1910 or just before. To confirm this, the booklet helpfully has an advert for the Peter Pan card game " which was first published by the International Card Co. (printed by De La Rue) c1910 before being published by H.P. Gibson c1912. The cards have the "B D" initials on the reverse and there is a card with the initials affixed to the box. Finally, there is a second booklet, this time in French.
The text on the box reads: "LeNormand / Fortune Telling / Cards / Complete with rules / Price 2/6 Per Pack / As Professed by the celebrated Parisian Diviner Silvia d'Arville / International Card Co. / London, E.C.” See the box
Above: Le Normand Fortune Telling Cards published by the International Card Co., London, E.C., c.1910
Note that the later version of the same booklet has a different cover (front and back) and a different way of writing “Le Normand”. You will notice too that the later edition (shown higher up) was priced at 3/6 per pack. R.S
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
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.
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