A10594

Playing cards, 48 only (missing the 3 of spades, 7 of clubs, 6 of hearts & Jack of diamonds); of French manufacture, Parisian pattern; this type were widely exported throughout Continental Europe; the king of diamonds is called 'Cezar' (after Julius Caesar), king of spades 'David' (Biblical King David), queen of spades 'Pallas' (another name for the goddess Athena), queen of hearts 'Judic' (Biblical Judith), queen of diamonds 'Rachel' (Biblical Rachel), queen of clubs 'Argine' (probably an anagram of 'Regina', Latin for Queen), jack of spades 'Hogier' (after one of Charlemagne's knights). Later French playing cards came under control of the State and were standardised & printed with watermarked paper. On display in the guard's hut in the hulks gallery.

late 18th/early 19th century, circa 1800