Bon Gout No.11 with Crimean War aces
Made by Mesmaekers & Moentack of Turnhout.
A pack of playing cards with scenic aces depicting some of the major battles from the Crimean war (1852 - 1856) in which Russia was defeated by an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, France, United Kingdom and Piedmont-Sardinia.
The pack has its original wrapper which is named Bon Gout No.11, a luxury pattern printed by Mesmaekers & Moentack of Turnhout Belgium. This factory only existed between 1859 and 1862 after which is became Mesmaekers Frères. The initials of the factory (M&MàT) are just visible on the bottom right hand corner of the wrapper shown below.
Printed in about 1860, this pack consists of 32 cards which are stencil coloured lithography with a different colour scheme at each end of the court cards, an indication of quality.
Below: The wrapper and the back of the cards
All cards shown are from the collection of Paul Symons ©
By Paul Symons
Member since February 01, 2016
I'm British but I have now lived in the Netherlands for more than 50 years and am still enjoying every minute of it. I started collecting playing cards in the early 1980’s after speaking with my neighbour who was at that time a croupier in a casino. I started with just collecting jokers, but that soon led me to complete packs of cards and eventually to specialising in old and antique playing cards, particularly those of C.L. Wüst of Frankfurt, Germany. I am presently the Dutch representative of the I.P.C.S. and the auctioneer at the IPCS conventions.
Related Articles
Blake et Mortimer – La Marque Jaune
Blake and Mortimer comic strip characters created by Edgar P. Jacobs.
Clear Skies
‘Clear Skies’ playing cards paying tribute to the Ukrainian people in the face of war.
Santo Mexico playing cards
Santo Mexico playing cards designed by Cédric Volon with Mexico-associated symbols.
Gallia Belgica playing cards
Gallia Belgica playing cards by Cédric Volon presenting a view of Belgian culture and folklore.
Historical Characters
Double-ended deck with historical characters and jacks as jesters by Daveluy, c.1850.
Mademoiselle Lenormand
XIX century ‘Mlle Lenormand’ cartomancy deck by Daveluy, Bruges.
Battles in Mexico, 1847
Uncut proof sheet with Mexican Battle scenes on the aces and portraits of American generals on the c...
Printing Presses
Antique printing presses from the Turnhout Playing Card Museum collection.
Club Soft Drinks
Promotional pack for Club soft drinks with amusing illustrations of different kinds of ‘club’.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
American teen film depicting students staging their last spring musical.
Jeu Quatre Empereurs
Brazilian scenic aces with emperors of Brazil, Austria and France and other dignitaries on the court...
Crimean War Deck
1854 saw the declaration of the Crimean War and this deck was published by Wüst around, or shortly a...
Animal Tarot by J. B Dubois
French-suited Bavarian Animal Tarot by J B Dubois, Liège, Belgium, late 18th C.
Animal Tarot by J. T Dubois
Early 19th century Animal Tarot pack produced by J T Dubois, Liège, Belgium.
Animal Tarot by G. Larmoyer
Flemish Animal Tarot deck by G. Larmoyer, Liège, 1753.
Louis De Poortere
Psychedelic designs promoting Louis De Poortere, a company selling carpets and rugs.
Trending Articles
Popular articles from the past 28 days
