Editions Arts Et Lettres (Grimaud) “Le Giscarte” Playing Cards, Eddy Munerol Designs, c.1986

Collectibles : Playing Cards France : Grimaud "Le Giscarte"

 

Great deck of cards published by Editions Arts et Lettres, and printed by Grimaud, c.1976, with designs by Eddy Munerol, titled “Le Giscarte.” It is subtitled, “XX siecles d’histoire de France au travers d’un seul homme, en 54 cartes a jouer” (“20 centuries of French history through a single man, in 54 playing cards”). It features biting, satirical images of former French President Valery Giscard d’Estang, in the guises of the great men (and women!) of French history, and includes what appears to be the image of d’Estang as his wife, characterized as an anemone, “Madame Valery Giscard d’Estang Anemone” (King of Hearts). The deck was banned as “offensive” by d’Estang – a ban that was apparently upheld by the court – and so had to be withdrawn from sale. As a result, it is somewhat rare.

Although the subtitle speaks of 54 cards, the deck consists of 52 cards, plus 3 Jokers, plus a backed extra card. There are 53 original designs, as the design of the Joker is the same on all 3. The cards are wide, measuring 90mm x 63mm. They are in the original box.

The cards are "as new," viewed but never used, and the box is in excellent condition, with only minor signs of age and wear.

References: Fournier, Playing Cards II, France 528.

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Item ID: T0000409