c.1890 Livre du Destin

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c.1890 Livre du Destin, B.P. Grimaud 32/32 cards, + 1 blank indicator card, 20-page booklet + original two-part telescopic box

 

Published by B.P. Grimaud, Paris, France, c.1890

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Deck: Livre du Destin

 

Description:  The game is composed of 32 cards plus a blank card that serves as the consultant(e). William Hughes Willshire (1876) describes an early c.1810-60 version of the game printed by Carpentier Mericourt and held at the British Museum (1866,1110.647-679) as:

 

A pique set of cards of the suits piques, coeurs, carreaux, and trefles (spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs). It is intended for the purposes of fortune-telling as well as for ordinary play, but belongs to the amusing variety of fortune-telling cards, and not to the serious divinatory class.

Each card-piece has a representation of a small numeral card at its upper left-hand corner. Occupying the greater portion of the piece is an emblematic design, including full-length figures and landscapes; below is the title. The ace of piques has on it a Cupid on clouds, about to let off an arrow on some one below. Above him are two billing doves, below is the title, L'Amour. The ten of carreaux exhibits a large parterre of flowers, from which a serpent protrudes his neck. Over these are some birds hovering, and at a little distance other birds arc being caught in a net. At the lower margin are the words: "Piege ou Trahison."

A book of explication accompanies the set. It is entitled: "Le Livre de Destin," and commences with an "Epitre aux Dames," by M. Violet, editeur, which begins with the assurance that " L'homme galant doit toujours faire hommage aux Dames du fruit de ses travaux." After the address comes the "Maniere de tirer les Cartes," followed by an " Explication des Cartes, "with finally the "Rencontre des Cartes ayant meme valeur" (171-172).
 

Deck Identifiers:

· Borders:  Double black line

· Reverses:  Plaid pattern, blue, pink and purple

· Paper:  thick pasteboard

· Titles:  French and English

· Style:  Sybilla Cards

· Tax Stamp: On card #16. "This stamp was in use in France from 1890 to 1917, and from 1922 to 1940." 
The text reads, "RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE' and 'DÉCRET DU 12 AVRIL 1890" (Endebrock 2011). 

 

CONDITION:

Very good condition. Some foxing, minor surface scuffing, slight stains and patina. Cards and booklet appear unused; original card box with some edge and corner wear, lacking bottom side of the inner sleeve, and paper applique well preserved. 

Card Dimensions:  10.7 cm x 7 cm X 1.7 cm