This is a reproduction of a 52 card deck based on a set of face cards by Pierre Marechal of Rouen, France dating from 1567. 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 stylized decks which have become standard motifs still used in many modern decks.
They are about 3.5 " x 2.25" -the same size as a modern "Bridge deck". (modern Poker decks are slightly wider.) They are printed on plain, uncoated card stock for an authentic look, and they are blank on the backs and have square corners as was most common for early cards. Printed for us here in Minnesota. Since they are uncoated card stock they are packaged in a re-closeable "Ziplock" style bag to protect them from moisture.
See our youtube channel "MacGregor Historic Games" for more info about our period cards.
Buy any combination of four of our period cards and we'll include a free copy of our "Early Card Games" booklet.
Wholesale pricing available.