Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed to the Trustees of the British museum by the late Lady Charlotte Schreiber.

FRENCH CARDS.

57

80. Romans. J. Coissieux. Republican. The twelve court cards of
a pack of the conventional type, in which the crowns have been
removed, and the usual names replaced by the Republican titles
"Egalite," "Liberte," and "Genie." The maker's name is, on
every card, and the knave of clubs has also the word "Romans."
Backs plain, and inscribed in MS. with titles of books.
38 x 24 in. [S. Vol. III, pl. 118.]
81. St. Maixent. Assignats, 1791. Twenty-two of a pack of the
ordinary kind, having on the backs printed assignats of the town
of St. Maixent, dated 1791 and 1792.
34 x 24 in.
82. Toulouse. Maudet. Sixteen court cards and aces of the ordinary
type, apparently all belonging to one pack, though three of them
are repetitions. They are the ace, knave and king of hearts; the
ace, knave and queen of spades; the ace, two knaves, queen and
king of diamonds; and the ace, two knaves and two queens of clubs.
On the knave of spades is the word " Maudet," and on that of clubs,
"Toulouse." Backs decorated with a small green pattern. In
black cloth cover.
3 x 2 in.
83. Place of issue uncertain; 17th century. Fancy devices. Fragmentary pack of 15, engraved on wood and coarsely coloured, viz.,
the ace, 3, 6 and 8 of hearts; the ace, 4 and 10 of spades; the
6 and queen of diamonds, and the ace, 5, 6, 8, queen and king of
clubs. The value of each card is indicated by a suitmark and
numeral, but the numbers are represented on the hearts by birds,
on the spades by military objects, on the diamonds by quadrupeds,
and on the clubs by flowers. The kings and queens are seated
in chariots. On the aces are inscriptions forming together the
lines
"Vive le Roy et la Cour
[Vive la Reyne] jeme l'Amour."
(All the four inscriptions appear on a pack of the same period
published by the fociete des Bibliophiles Frangais.)
Backs plain.
34 x 24 in. [C. S. Vol. II, pl. 14.]
84. Place of issue uncertain. J. Burdel; 19th century. Complete
pack. The knaves of spades and clubs bear the name of the maker,
" Jaques Burdel." The aces have oval spandrel frames enclosing
the suitmark. Backs decorated with a pattern of black stars.
31 x 21 in.