Twin Decks Philibert "St. Hubert’s Bridge" Playing Cards, Eugene Leliepvre Designs, Limited Edition (4147/12000, and 7338/12000), c.1956

Collectibles : Playing Cards France : Philibert "St. Hubert's Bridge"

 

Outstanding twin decks – 1 with dark blue backs, 1 with a purple color – of "St. Hubert’s Bridge" cards, published by Philibert c.1956, featuring designs by Eugene Leliepvre, a French military historian and painter of military subjects, at that time the Official Painter to the French Army. St. Hubert is the patron saint of hunting and huntsman, among other things, and the designs of the Aces and court cards are related to hunting. I have always understood that the decks published by Philibert were actually printed by Draeger Freres. However, Fournier reports that this deck was printed by Philibert.

Each deck has 52 cards, plus 2 Jokers, plus 2 insert cards – one insert an extra Queen of Diamonds backed with advertising for Philibert decks, and one a title card with the Leliepvre signature and limited edition information on the reverse side. The deck was a limited edition -- 12000 decks in all. The purple deck is numbered 4147 and, though the number is faded, the blue deck appears to be number 7338. The cards are large and wide, measuring 95mm x 63mm; the purple deck has gold gilt all around, but the blue deck has gold gilt at the corners only. Each deck comes in a plastic box that is almost certainly original.

The cards are in pristine, “as new” condition. Each plastic box is in very good condition, slightly worn and cloudy with a scratch or two, but without serious issues.

If you would like one, but not both, of these decks, each is for sale separately for $150.

Reference: Fournier, Playing Cards, France 423

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Item ID: T0000997