Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse

Published December 06, 2024 Updated December 06, 2024

Spanish pattern published by Eugène Boisse, Bordeaux.

1865 France Boisse French Catalan Pattern Spanish Suited

These Spanish-suited cards were engraved by Albaret of Agen, whose name appears on the Ace of coins. New technologies were facilitating a move away from woodblocks, allowing more intricate designs, in this case somewhat eclectic and embellished. The engraver has also added small indices which was another emerging innovation at that time. His connection to Agen, a city in southwestern France, likely signifies either his place of origin or the location where he worked or was based. The deck was subsequently published by Eugène Boisse of Bordeaux, whose name has been hand-stamped onto the cards (not on the original engravings).

The Bibliothèque nationale and several authors regard the deck as ‘Aluette’, but it is perhaps better described as a blend or "métissage" of the French Catalan and Parisian Spanish patterns, with female or androgynous cavaliers, plumed hats and distinctive details on some numeral cards. The borders have 'pintas' or breaks to differentiate the suits. The lion atop a globe is found on many Spanish decks, and along with "Naypes Refinos" this projects global influence. The Real Fábrica de Madrid, which was the royal playing card manufacturer in Spain, used the term "Naypes Refinos" or "Naypes Finisimos" on their cards, denoting superior quality. The snake on the ace of batons is unusual.

Spanish pattern published by Eugene Boisse, Bordeaux, c.1865. Source gallica.bnf.fr / BnF Spanish pattern published by Eugene Boisse, Bordeaux, c.1865. Source gallica.bnf.fr / BnF Spanish pattern published by Eugene Boisse, Bordeaux, c.1865. Source gallica.bnf.fr / BnF Spanish pattern published by Eugene Boisse, Bordeaux, c.1865. Source gallica.bnf.fr / BnF

Above: Spanish pattern published by Eugène Boisse, Bordeaux, c.1865. 48 cards, stencil coloured; 8,5 x 5,6 cm. Square corners, small indices, backs with blue dotted decoration. Bibliothèque nationale de France • Jeu d'aluette, Albaret, graveur, à Agen

The cards may have been intended for foreign markets such as Spain, North Africa or South America. Proofs pulled from the original block do not have Boisse’s name stamped on them. That was added later in the example shown above.

uncoloured proof sheet pulled from the original blocks engraved by Albaret, graveur à Agen

Above: uncoloured proof sheet pulled from the original blocks engraved by Albaret, graveur à Agen.

References

Bibliothèque nationale de France:

d'Allemagne, Henry-René: Les cartes à jouer du XIVe au XXe siècle, tome 2, p.101 Cartes d’Alluettes éditées par Boisse, cartier de Bordeaux, 1839-1860

avatar
1,479 Articles

By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.

Related Articles

2015 Never Mind the Belote

Never Mind the Belote

Limited edition Belote pack with designs by a collective of 24 street artists.

2000 Sannois dans les étoiles

Sannois dans les étoiles

Celebrities and buildings associated with Sannois, a commune in the suburbs of Paris.

1992 Le Globe Céleste

Le Globe Céleste

Views and plans of five international exhibitions held in Paris between 1855 and 1900.

1999 Le Journal de Mickey

Le Journal de Mickey

Perforated sheet of cards with Disney characters issued with the magazine Le Journal de Mickey.

1897 Tarot hiéroglyphique égyptien

Tarot hiéroglyphique égyptien

The design of the cards draws inspiration from various religious and philosophical traditions merged...

2024 La Réussite (Sébastien Féraut)

La Réussite (Sébastien Féraut)

Sébastien Féraut’s designs inspired by the animal kingdom for a set promoting patience games.

2021 Le Tarot de Sète

Le Tarot de Sète

Reinterpretation of the Tarot de Marseille by Julien Labat, an artist from Sète.

2022 Oracle Rock

Oracle Rock

Cartomantic set depicting rock and pop stars, designed by La Rata, with a book by Virginie Despentes...

1994 Jeu Numismatique

Jeu Numismatique

European coins of all periods replace the traditional courts and pips.

1990 Jeu Philatélique

Jeu Philatélique

Cards with French postage stamps featuring famous literary figures.

1990 Tarot Philatélique

Tarot Philatélique

Tarot game pack with French postage stamps on all the courts, aces and trumps.

1945 Jeu Philatélique – Les Colonies Françaises

Jeu Philatélique – Les Colonies Françaises

Philatelic card game featuring real postage stamps from the French colonies.

1868 Braulio Fournier

Braulio Fournier

Baraja Nº 1 produced by Braulio Fournier, Burgos, c.1868.

1984 Tarot Actuel 1984

Tarot Actuel 1984

Major arcana to cut out, issued with the French magazine Actuel, using photographic images.

1865 Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse

Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse

Spanish pattern published by Eugène Boisse, Bordeaux.

1860 Catalan pattern by B.P Grimaud

Catalan pattern by B.P Grimaud

Standard Spanish Catalan pattern deck made in Paris by B.P Grimaud.