Own a piece of French card-making history with Grimaud N°1503: The Archives in Collaboration with the BNF - Louis XV Deck in Dolphin Blue—a prestigious 53-card archival reissue that brings the legendary 1890s Louis XV deck back to life through an extraordinary partnership between Maître Cartier Grimaud and the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
The Louis XV Legacy:
Created in the 1890s under Georges Marteau, nephew of founder Baptiste Paul Grimaud and passionate collector of Japanese art and Persian miniatures, the Louis XV deck was designed for exclusive Parisian salons, evoking the opulence and refinement of King Louis XV's court. This imagery, steeped in references to the grandeur of the Ancien Régime, created a deck meant to be admired—cards for discerning players fortunate enough to hold them. First printed around 1895 and preserved in the esteemed collections of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, this iconic deck represents the pinnacle of French artisanal card-making excellence.
Art Nouveau Artistry:
Marteau enlisted the extraordinary talents of artist Jules Habert-Dys, a painter, engraver, and illustrator who championed the burgeoning Art Nouveau movement. His influence radiates throughout the deck—flowing lines grace the feminine faces while intricate floral and plant motifs showcase the era's aesthetic revolution. The original illustrations from the 1890s, printed using sophisticated chromolithography techniques, introduced the dolphin blue accents that became Grimaud's signature color and enduring trademark.
Meticulous Archival Recreation:
This reissue returns in its original Whist format (53 cards), with every detail meticulously recreated by leading French artisans. From illustration to embossing and packaging crafted in Paris's historic Bastille district, this deck honors the exceptional precision and aesthetic beauty of the original. Each card features the special varnish formula that ensures smoothness and durability while the Art Nouveau-style paper sleeve with gold-tone detailing matches the signature gold-gilded edges of the cards—an innovation pioneered by Baptiste Paul Grimaud himself for beauty and resilience.
Key Features:
- Official archival reissue in collaboration with Bibliothèque nationale de France
- Original 1890s illustrations by Art Nouveau pioneer Jules Habert-Dys
- Authentic Whist format with 53 cards, designed for Bridge and Poker
- Iconic Dolphin Blue back with Louis XV court imagery
- Premium 350g black core casino-grade paper with custom varnish
- Signature gold-gilded corners and edges for protection and elegance
- Art Nouveau-style paper sleeve with gold-tone detailing
- Custom embossed box crafted by Parisian artisans in Bastille district
- 10-color chromolithography printing for exceptional vibrancy
- Card thickness: 350g; Case measures approximately H10.5cm x W7cm x D3cm
- Manufactured with traditional artisanal methods in France
Whether you're a serious collector seeking museum-quality playing cards, a history enthusiast celebrating French heritage, or a player who appreciates the finest artisanal craftsmanship, the Grimaud N°1503 Louis XV Archives deck transcends its function as a game to become a cultural objet d'art and distinguished gift for the most discerning card connoisseurs.
