1789–1989 French Revolution Bicentennial Playing Cards – Héron (France)

Issued in 1989 to commemorate the Bicentennial of the French Revolution (1789–1989), this special playing card deck was produced in France by Héron as a single commemorative edition.

While retaining the structure of a traditional French-suited deck, the court cards are entirely reimagined with double-ended, full-color portraits of key figures of the French Revolution, including Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, Robespierre, Danton, Madame Roland, and Barbaroux.
The Ace of Clubs prominently features the emblem “La Loi” (The Law), reinforcing the historical and symbolic intent of the deck.

Both historically evocative and visually striking, this deck stands at the crossroads of playing cards, political memory, and graphic heritage, making it a compelling collectible for historians and card enthusiasts alike.

Deck Details

🔹 Title: 1789–1989 Bicentennial of the French Revolution
🔹 Publisher / Printer: Héron, France
🔹 Year: 1989
🔹 Cards: 54 cards (52 + 2 Jokers) + 1 French contract bridge card
🔹 Card Size: approx. 2¼ × 3⅜ inches (57 × 86 mm)
🔹 Indices: Traditional French indices
🔹 Language: French
🔹 Condition:
Cards are used but still good; outer box shows shelf wear as pictured!

🪶 Collector’s Note

This is a true period commemorative deck, not a modern reprint. Produced exclusively for the Bicentennial celebrations, it captures how late-20th-century France chose to visually reinterpret its revolutionary past.
Decks featuring named historical figures in a standard playing card format are uncommon, making this a particularly desirable piece for collectors of political ephemera, French history, and commemorative playing cards.