Les Saints Guérisseurs et Protecteurs
Healing and patron saints portrayed in paintings, manuscripts, altarpieces and statuary.
Who would have believed that you could fill a pack of cards with healing saints?! Every illness and condition seems to be covered here – from acne to zona (shingles). Many saints are associated with more than one illness, while several ailments have links with more than one saint. The illnesses are listed in alphabetical order on the 2s and Jokers together with the corresponding saint(s). If you have a headache, pray to St Pancrace (Pancras in English) or, if you have an ulcer, pray to St Roch (also the patron saint of dogs). Sainte Apolline (Apollonia in English) is the patroness of dentistry. Apart from statues, the images for this pack come from paintings, manuscripts and altarpieces.
Above: Les Saints Guérisseurs et Protecteurs published by Editions Dusserre, Paris, France, 1995. Made in France. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 2 extra cards in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm.
The back design is repeated on the back of the box. See the box
See also Les Metiers et Leurs Protecteurs by Editions Dusserre, also published in 1995.
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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