La Compagnie de 1602

La Compagnie de 1602 is a historical society with around 2,200 members which organises the festival held in December each year to commemorate L’Escalade (the act of scaling defensive walls), the failed attempt to conquer the Protestant city-state of Geneva by the Catholic Duchy of Savoy on the night of 11-12 December 1602, the darkest night of the year. The comic-looking court cards and Jokers depict characters in historical costume connected with the festival. On the Jokers one can read “BENE 91”, presumably the artist’s name and the year. On the back is a vivid night-time scene of a raider being eyed by a defender.

Above: ‘La Compagnie de 1602’ commemorative deck printed by AGMüller, Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland, for La Compagnie de 1602, Geneva, 1991. 52 cards + 3 Jokers. No box. Size: 57 x 88.5 mm.