Playing cards, C16th French
- A set based on the cards of Pierre Marechal of Rouen, France, dating to 1567
- £8.00
This is a reproduction of a deck dated to 1567 that is based on a set of face cards by Pierre Marechal of Rouen, France. The cards of Rouen are significant because many were produced for export to Britain. English merchants are even said to have bought them for re-export to other countries. In 1628 England banned the importation of cards, and English printers have been shown to have used Rouen face cards as inspiration for their own cruder, more stylised decks which have become the standard motifs still used in many modern decks.
This a full 52-card deck without jokers (which were not used until the 19th century.) The backs are blank, as was common on early cards, and cards are not coated or laminated, making them ideal for reenactment. Card dimensions 89 x 57mm (3 1/2" x 2 1/4").
