Aluette by Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850

Published May 24, 2023 Updated October 25, 2024

Aluette game by Fabrique Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850.

1850 France Spain Dieudonné Aluette

Aluette pack produced by Jean Dieudonné (1811-1886), a Dieudonné family descendent who had emigrated to Orleans, France. He was the son of the Luxembourgish card-maker Matthias Dieudonné and Catherine Schmidt. He married Eugénie-Catherine Lamy on April 16, 1845. He was first associated with his brother Jean-Mathieu between 1841 and 1845 trading as Dieudonné frères, after which he then ran his own factory named Dieudonné Jeune. The cards in this 48-card pack show several Spanish stylistic characteristics including ‘pintas’ or border-breaks, with the legend “Naipes Finos” on the ace of coins, and are said to be intended for the Spanish market.

48-card Aluette pack produced by Fabrique Dieudonné Jeune, Orléans, c.1850.  Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France

Above: 48-card Aluette pack produced by Fabrique Dieudonné Jeune (Jean Dieudonné, active 1845-1886), Orléans, c.1850. Stencil-coloured engravings. Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France Jeu d'aluette édité pour l'Espagne

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