Clavecin

As it says on the title card accompanying this pack, the double-ended courts look as if they have just stepped out of a work by the French painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806). They are all in 18th century costume. Soft colours have been used throughout. Though unnamed, the courts are almost certainly based on portraits of real people. All the pips are elongated. Decorated backs with a criss-cross pattern within a gold and grey-blue frame. Clavecin is the French word for harpsichord.

Above: ‘Clavecin’ playing cards with designs by F.R. Gabiraud, made by Catel et Farcy, France, c1960. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 title card + 1 blank card in tuck box. Size: 57 x 87 mm.

A further edition of these cards was produced for Editions Rombaldi’s Le Club de la Femme, with a different back design (shown right) and less rounded corners.