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Antique Arcana
€329.00 EUR
A rare and charming French bistro card game set dating from the Belle Époque period (c. 1890–1910), combining both cards and tokens in a clever red case.
🔹 Deck: Includes a 32-card Belote deck with classic French court cards ("Pallas", etc.). The cards show natural yellowing from age, with one card featuring a cut corner, but remain in good playable condition.
🔹 Tokens: 95 colorful wooden chips, printed with famous aperitif brands of the early 20th century such as Rossi, Martini, Cognac Bisquit. Each chip reflects the convivial atmosphere of French cafés.
🔹 Case: Wooden box covered in red textured material, embossed in gold with “Nécessaire de Jetons” and “Jeu de Cartes.”
The box includes:
- A lever system to easily lift the cards,
- Side buttons to unlock the lids,
- A betting slot on the top with side retrieval opening.
Dimensions: 15.5 × 9.5 × 4.5 cm
Condition: Overall very good for its age. Some wear to the box, consistent with use, but the mechanism and contents remain intact and functional.
A delightful collector’s piece, perfect for lovers of antique gaming accessories and the atmosphere of old French cafés.
🪶 Collector’s Note
More than a simple card game, this elegant Nécessaire de Jetons et Jeu de Cartes is a fascinating survivor from the golden age of French cafés and estaminets. Dating from around the turn of the 20th century, it reflects a time when card games were an essential part of daily social life, played in bistros, hotels, railway cafés, and private salons across France.
What makes this set particularly desirable is the combination of several collectible elements in one object: a period French card deck, a remarkable assortment of colorful advertising gaming tokens, and an ingenious mechanical case designed to store and dispense both. The advertising chips bearing names such as Martini, Rossi, and Cognac Bisquit offer a charming glimpse into the world of Belle Époque and early twentieth-century aperitif culture, when drinks manufacturers frequently sponsored gaming accessories and promotional items.
The clever spring-assisted card lift, locking side buttons, and betting slot transform the box into a miniature gaming station, illustrating the craftsmanship and ingenuity of French gaming accessories of the period. Few complete examples survive today with both the original cards and a substantial quantity of advertising tokens.
A rare and evocative piece that captures the atmosphere of old French cafés, where conversation, cards, and aperitifs accompanied long afternoons and evenings. Equally appealing to collectors of antique playing cards, advertising memorabilia, gaming accessories, and French social history.
Antique Arcana
€329.00 EUR
€329.00 EUR
€329.00 EUR
A rare and charming French bistro card game set dating from the Belle Époque period (c. 1890–1910), combining both cards and tokens in a clever red case.
🔹 Deck: Includes a 32-card Belote deck with classic French court cards ("Pallas", etc.). The cards show natural yellowing from age, with one card featuring a cut corner, but remain in good playable condition.
🔹 Tokens: 95 colorful wooden chips, printed with famous aperitif brands of the early 20th century such as Rossi, Martini, Cognac Bisquit. Each chip reflects the convivial atmosphere of French cafés.
🔹 Case: Wooden box covered in red textured material, embossed in gold with “Nécessaire de Jetons” and “Jeu de Cartes.”
The box includes:
- A lever system to easily lift the cards,
- Side buttons to unlock the lids,
- A betting slot on the top with side retrieval opening.
Dimensions: 15.5 × 9.5 × 4.5 cm
Condition: Overall very good for its age. Some wear to the box, consistent with use, but the mechanism and contents remain intact and functional.
A delightful collector’s piece, perfect for lovers of antique gaming accessories and the atmosphere of old French cafés.
🪶 Collector’s Note
More than a simple card game, this elegant Nécessaire de Jetons et Jeu de Cartes is a fascinating survivor from the golden age of French cafés and estaminets. Dating from around the turn of the 20th century, it reflects a time when card games were an essential part of daily social life, played in bistros, hotels, railway cafés, and private salons across France.
What makes this set particularly desirable is the combination of several collectible elements in one object: a period French card deck, a remarkable assortment of colorful advertising gaming tokens, and an ingenious mechanical case designed to store and dispense both. The advertising chips bearing names such as Martini, Rossi, and Cognac Bisquit offer a charming glimpse into the world of Belle Époque and early twentieth-century aperitif culture, when drinks manufacturers frequently sponsored gaming accessories and promotional items.
The clever spring-assisted card lift, locking side buttons, and betting slot transform the box into a miniature gaming station, illustrating the craftsmanship and ingenuity of French gaming accessories of the period. Few complete examples survive today with both the original cards and a substantial quantity of advertising tokens.
A rare and evocative piece that captures the atmosphere of old French cafés, where conversation, cards, and aperitifs accompanied long afternoons and evenings. Equally appealing to collectors of antique playing cards, advertising memorabilia, gaming accessories, and French social history.
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