Les Chemins de Saint-Jacques
Paintings, statues, monuments and maps associated with different routes to Compostela.
There are four principal routes to Compostela starting in France – from Tours, Vézelay, Le Puy-en-Velay, and Arles. These routes are shown on the 10s and Jokers. Statues of Saint Jacques (St James) are featured on the Kings. The other cards in this fully illustrated pack depict the Virgin Mary, pilgrims and views in colour of famous places along the way, with text in French at the foot of each image. The 9s carry further text in English, French, German and Spanish about the history of the pilgrimages. The back design is made up of scallop shells (the emblem of Santiago carried by all pilgrims) in gold against a green or blue background. See the box►
Above: Les Chemins de Saint-Jacques published by Editions Dusserre, Paris, France, c2000. Printed in France. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm. The back design is made up of scallop shells (the emblem of Santiago carried by all pilgrims) in gold against a green or blue background.
By Roddy Somerville
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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