Jeu Boléro
Sweeping, semi-abstract designs by J.L. Jolin in red and black only.
Sweeping curves in red and black were all that the artist J.L. Jolin needed to create this striking pack. A few essential elements (a crown, a flower, etc.) give clues as to which card is which. The pips have been given a modern look. ‘LA DUCALE’ and ‘MADE IN FRANCE’ appear across the central heart on the Ace of Hearts. The back design is also made up of swirling curves in red, black and white. Who was J.L. Jolin? Possibly an architect from Metz who was born in 1935 and who died in 2015. Judging from the sweeping curves, the artist may also have been a calligrapher. Does the name Boléro have anything to do with the Spanish dance of the same name? Not obviously so.
Above: Jeu Boléro published by La Ducale, Saint-Max, Nancy, France, c1962. 2 x 52 cards + 2 (identical) Jokers + 1 title card, in brown plastic wallet. Size: 63 x 88 mm.
If proof were needed that card players do play with non-standard packs, this set shows many signs of having been very well used! For all that, it remains a set which is hard to find nowadays
References
François, André. Histoire de la Carte à Jouer. Editions Jacques Freal, France, 1974. Chapter 10, illustration no. 29.
Janssen, Han. De Geschiedenis van de Speelkaart. Rijswijk, Netherlands: Elmar b.v.; 1985. p. 270.
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.
Related Articles
Tarot Actuel 1984
Major arcana to cut out, issued with the French magazine Actuel, using photographic images.
Queen of Arts
A wide variety of women artists celebrated on cards with illustrations by Laura Callaghan.
Fredericks & Mae playing cards
A rainbow pack from the design team of Fredericks & Mae and Benjamin English.
Spanish pattern by Eugène Boisse
Spanish pattern published by Eugène Boisse, Bordeaux.
Catalan pattern by B.P Grimaud
Standard Spanish Catalan pattern deck made in Paris by B.P Grimaud.
Pam is the Knave of Clubs
Playing cards as metaphors in 18th century art - from fate, chance and social hierarchy t...
Cartes politiques : Jeu d'actualité
Political playing cards published by Grimaud et Chartier, Paris, 1872.
Le Poker Politique
French politicians and various world leaders caricatured by the German artist Bubec.
Swiss playing cards by Iehan Hemau
17th century Swiss-suited playing cards by Iehan Hemau of Épinal.
Leadmill playing cards
Promotional pack for an arts centre in Sheffield with designs by Martin F. Bedford.
SCOR playing cards
Bizarre and fantastical images by the artist Roland Topor for the SCOR reinsurance company.
Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern
Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern by Guillaume & Jean Grossard (Bordeaux).
Typographic Playing Cards
Typographic Playing Cards designed by Jim Sutherland, c.2010.
Damn! Fools by Moon
Damn! Fools playing cards designed by Leo Scherfig, 2022.
Les Jeux de Pastor
Striking designs by Edouard Pastor focusing on the heads of figures from the medieval period.
Le Jeu des Personnages de l’Antiquité et du Moyen-Age
Edouard Pastor’s designs in black and gold inspired by Antiquity and the Middle Ages.
Trending Articles
Popular articles from the past 28 days
