Antique French Playing Cards in Vintage Richelet Pastilles Tin – c.1890–1905

Discover this charming late 19th-century French playing card deck, preserved inside a vintage Pastilles Richelet advertising tin. Although the tin was not originally produced for the cards, it has served as a protective storage case for many decades, creating an attractive period pairing rich in character and history.

The deck features traditional French-suited playing cards with beautifully illustrated court cards and an elegant geometric blue back design. 

🔹 Estimated date: circa 1890–1905
🔹 Traditional French-suited playing cards
🔹 Includes a vintage Pastilles Richelet advertising tin used as a period storage case
🔹 Original lithographed pharmacy advertising tin
🔹 Wonderful display piece for collectors of antique games and French advertising

Condition: The playing cards show honest wear from decades of use, including surface soiling, age toning, edge wear, and scattered stains. The Richelet tin displays scratches, oxidation, paint loss, and other age-related wear consistent with long-term use. The tin is a vintage storage container and was not originally issued with this deck. Please examine all photographs carefully for the exact condition.

🪶 Collector's Note

This antique French playing card deck dates to the late 19th century, as evidenced by the original French "Timbre Fiscal du Jeu" tax stamp featuring Marianne, a fiscal mark applied to playing cards sold in France during that period. These tax stamps are valuable dating clues and provide an authentic connection to the history of French card manufacturing.

At some point during its long life, the deck was stored inside a Pastilles Richelet tin, a famous French pharmacy product marketed for sore throats, coughs, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments. Although the tin was not originally made for the cards, it became a practical and durable storage container, preserving the deck while creating a charming period ensemble.