This deck was printed by Grimaud from Paris, France, and published by France Cartes. Special re-edition of an antique French deck honoring all kinds of revolutionary historical figures, such as William Tell, Simon Bolivar or George Washington. The ideals of the French revolution are represented on the Queens. No indices or numbers, and square corners. The deck was published with 52 cards and no jokers.

This set, an original of which is in the prints room of the National Library, was published in 1816. Its history is described on an imprint of the mold: "composed by Gustave Housbigant following a bet with friends that he would make them play with cards other than those used and that everyone found hideous..."

Unaware that the cards were then a monopoly of the State, denounced for fraud, Houbigant was summoned to the house of M. de Barente, director of indirect taxes. Monseigneur Le Duc de Berry was about to be married, and on the occasion of this marriage, Houbigant was asked to execute twelve dozen games which appeared for the first time on the gaming tables of the Court.

Republished today by France Cartes, the game "Dames de France", strong of its history, will be in the place of honor on your bridge table.

This Grimaud deck was printed in 1996 and depicts historical people during European crusades on Jerusalem, such as Saladin and Sibylle.

A deck of 52 + 2 jokers presented a reproduction of original first edition. Costume playing cards became very fashionable in France during the 19th century. This beautifully engraved and pleasing historical deck designed in 1856 has French Kings and consorts as the Kings and Queens, with court attendants as the Jacks, all dressed in magnificent period costumes from their respective eras. This cards are engraved, hand-coloured, gilded corners, manufactured by B.P.Grimaud, Paris, c.1856 and reprinted c.1891. Now we have a recent reproduction maked by the J.M. Simon from The Grimaud editions. The exact size of the deck is 88 mm x 64mm.