Paris 2024 Olympics 3
Paris Games mascot Phryge engaged in different sports in a Happy Families-type game.
Olympic Phryge, based on the Phrygian cap, is the name of the Paris 2024 mascot, here present on all 40 cards (and sometimes twice), engaged in different sports. Each family and each sport is named in French and in English, with all the information being summarised in both languages on the two extra cards. Although called a “Jeu de 7 familles” on the box, there are in fact 8 families included, the eighth being for Paralympic sports. As this pack is already unusual in having 5 cards in each set rather than the usual 6, why not then call it a “Jeu de 8 familles” on this occasion? In any case, most English speakers are not familiar with “Jeu de 7 familles” so calling it “Jeu de 8 familles” would not have mattered. Additionally, it is clear that no English speakers were consulted before calling the game “Happy Family” on the box instead of “Happy Families”. See the box
Above: Paris 2024 Olympics Jeu de 7 Familles card game made and published by Cartamundi France, Saint-Max, France, 2024. 40 cards + 2 cards with rules in French and English + 2 extra cards in tuck box with tab for hanging. Size: 56 x 87 mm. © PARIS 2024
According to the box, this pack was printed by Cartamundi France (formerly France Cartes). At least that seems to have led to a better quality pack than the 54-card and Tarot pack produced for the same Olympic Games. From the code on the back of the box, it may be that this pack was actually printed and released in 2023.
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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