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Playing Cards from France

French Playing Cards

Some of the oldest cards still in existence come from France. During the 16th and 17th centuries France was the major supplier of playing cards in Europe.

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Cartes Recréatives

Cartes Recréatives

Cartes Recréatives is a set of Transformed playing cards designed by Armand-Gustave Houbigant (1790-1863) and first published by Terquem et May, Metz, in 1819.

Cassandre for Hermès

Cassandre for Hermès

Promotional playing cards created by A. M. Cassandre (pseudonym of Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron, 1901-1968) with abstract, almost surrealist figures and ornamentation, but clearly inspired by medieval art and rendered into an Art Deco style.

Catel & Farcy

Catel & Farcy

Catel & Farcy (Paris).

Chamborama

Chamborama

This “Jeu de Familles” from the 1960s designed by Jean Bachès promotes Chambord glassware.

Charles Cheminade Tarot

Charles Cheminade Tarot

Marseille Tarot cards by Charles Cheminade of Grenoble, France, early 18th century.

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Famous people associated with Nicolas Fouquet’s splendid château of Vaux-le-Vicomte.

Chocolat du Planteur

Chocolat du Planteur

Chocolat du Planteur cards (reproduction) by French artist Louis Bourgeois-Borgex, c.1900.

Classification of Numeral Card Designs in French-suited packs

Classification of Numeral Card Designs in French-suited packs

The classification of numeral cards in French-suited packs, covering various pip designs in over 400 packs from English, American, and French origins, and highlighting both historical and modern patterns.

Classique

Classique

“Classique” by Draeger Frères, Paris, c.1949 with designs reminiscent of early French cards.

Claude Weisbuch

Claude Weisbuch

Free reinterpretation of the traditional Paris pattern courts by the artist Claude Weisbuch.

Clavecin

Clavecin

Courts in 18th century costume, with designs by F.R. Gabiraud.

CNES playing cards

CNES playing cards

Fully pictorial pack featuring rockets, satellites, scientists and views from space.

Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones

Compagnie Industrielle des Téléphones

Publicity pack featuring various historical figures “on the ‘phone”.

Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis

Compagnie Maritime des Chargeurs Réunis

French navigators and explorers on a promotional pack for the C.M.C.R shipping company.

Conseil Général de la Somme

Conseil Général de la Somme

Famous people and places of the Somme department in northern France, with designs by James Hodges.

Correspondances

Correspondances

‘Correspondances’ depicting the 52 transfer stations of the Paris Métropolitain, France, 1985.

Corsaires et Flibustiers

Corsaires et Flibustiers

“Corsaires et Flibustiers” playing cards created by G. Delluc and published by Éditions Philibert, Paris, 1958.

Costumes Alsaciens

Costumes Alsaciens

Typical costumes and views of Alsace together with lists of the principal sights.

Costumes des Peuples Étrangers

Costumes des Peuples Étrangers

Costumes des Peuples Étrangers & Jeu d’Or dedicated to young people and likely used for games and fortune-telling.

Dames de France

Dames de France

“Dames de France” published by J-M Simon based on originals by Armand Gustave Houbigant, Paris, c.1817