16th Century French Playing Cards

A set of replica 16th century French playing cards. Printed in full color with historical accuracy in mind. This deck is based on a set of face cards by Pierre Marechal of Rouen, France dating to 1567. The original Jack of Hearts and Jack of Diamonds were missing, but have been substituted with two similar cards, also from Rouen. The cards of Rouen are significant because in 1628, England banned the importation of cards, and English printers used Rouen cards as models for their own cruder, more stylized decks which have become the standard motifs still used in many modern decks.