Playing Cards

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Playing Cards

In the new packs of cards issued in revolutionary France, tha valets (knaves) are replaced by Republicans. Date: circa 1790

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Media ID 7213993

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10201638

1790 Issued Packs Replaced Republicans Revolution Revolutionary Valets

EDITORS COMMENTS
This image showcases a rare and historically significant set of playing cards, issued in revolutionary France around 1790. During this period of radical political change, the traditional European card deck underwent a unique transformation. In these new packs, the valets or knaves, which historically represented lower-ranking court officials, were replaced with the emblems of the emerging revolutionary spirit. The French Revolution, which began in 1789, brought about a wave of democratic ideals and the rejection of the old monarchical order. This shift was reflected in various aspects of daily life, including the design of playing cards. In this deck, the valets have been replaced by the symbols of the new republican ideology – a farmer, a soldier, a scholar, and a bourgeois. These figures represented the common people, the military, the intellectual class, and the emerging middle class, respectively. This photograph is a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and historical context of the French Revolution. The cards serve as a reminder of the profound impact of political change on even the most mundane aspects of daily life. The replacement of the valets with the symbols of the revolutionary ideology is a testament to the deep-rooted desire for change and the emergence of a new order. This set of playing cards is a unique and intriguing artifact of a pivotal moment in world history.

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