Deck of playing cards, before 1862

cards

Cards; Deck of playing cards, before 1862; from the collection of Captain Richard C. Mears (1829-1899); full deck of playing cards, red basket-weave pattern on the back of the cards; front of cards are printed with suit only (no printed numbers); each facecard is in the style of the traditional court cards, being referred to in their traditional court names (Nave of Clubs is Lancelot, Queen of Clubs is Argine, King of Clubs is Alexandre, Nave of Diamonds is Hector, Queen of Diamonds is Rachel, King of Diamonds is Cesar, Nave of Hearts is Lahire, Queen of Hearts is Judith, King of Hearts is Charles, Nave of Spades is Hogier, Queen of Spades is Pallas, King of Spades is David); the 10 of clubs has "10" handwritten in each corner; the 7 of diamonds has "7" written in each corner; the 10 of hearts has "10" handwritten in each corner; on the Ace of Clubs card is a blue stamp, circular with a profile of a roman head in the middle, and around the edge is printed "REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE/ DECRET DU 12 AVRIL 1830"; edge corners of all cards are gold in color.