Skip to content
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED | EXPERT ADVICE
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED

[Le Jeu des fortifications].

Stock Code 94331

[A Paris, chez J. Mariette, rue St. Jacques aux Colonnes d'Hercules, ca. 1710-13?].

Original price £1,250.00 - Original price £1,250.00
Original price £1,250.00
£1,250.00
£1,250.00 - £1,250.00
Current price £1,250.00
Lovely set of uncommon military playing cards.

The cards were drawn by Gilles de La Boissière (as shown on the later Daumont issue). Each card depicts a different form of fortification, with mathematical measurements appearing alongside the drawbridges, fortified chateaux, bastions, ravelins and ramparts.

Given that the jeu de l'oie was very much in favour at the turn of the century, a new type of game appeared, mixing the latter with conventional playing cards. The jeu des fortifcations (like the similar jeu de la guerre, also invented by La Boissiere) is a prime example: originally issued on a broadsheet, it could be played either as a jeu de l'oie, with dice, or as a card game, in which each square could be cut out to form a deck of cards (as here). The original owner laid down the cut-out cards to form this lovely volume, leaving aside the title, the rules of the game and the table alphabétique that complete the broadsheet. It is rare to find the game in this condition, as once the cards were cut out they were only very occasionally kept in a volume.

Originally published in 1668 by Mariette, 'an eminent French engraver and print-seller' (Bryan), the game proved popular; many reissues with small variations, sometimes in other languages, were printed over the course of the next century. Like the copy in the British Museum, the dedication is here signed by the original publisher, Mariette, but addressed to the students of the prestigious College de Louis le Grand, formerly College de Clermont but renamed following Louis XIV's visit to it in 1682, when he declared it a royal foundation. We would therefore date this copy from the second issue, possibly 1710-13.

12mo (12 x 7.5 cm). Engraved double-page dedication, 52 engraved playing cards and an engraved double-page plan, all cut close and laid down at the time. 18th-century calf, spine with raised bands, compartments gilt, red morocco label lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, red speckled edges, housed in modern clam-shell box; lightly rubbed and bumped at extremities.

BnF, Jeux de princes, jeux de vilains, p.93; Bryan's Dictionary of Painters and Engravers, III-285; cf. D'Allemagne, Les Cartes a jouer (not mentioning this game) and D'Allemagne, Le Noble jeu de l'oye p. 221 (giving only later editions).
Provenance

Provenance: Carl Gustav von Lieven (1722-70, Master of the Royal household, governor of Stockholm; armorial bookplate to upper cover).

Delivery

We offer secure and express delivery on all local and international orders of rare books, maps and prints placed through this website.

About us

Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.

Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.

We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.

Read more

Ask us a question

[Le Jeu des fortifications].

[LA BOISSIERE, Gilles de (artist)].

Stock code: 94331

£1,250.00

THE BOND STREET EXPERIENCE

An exceptional experience in the heart of London’s Mayfair for not only seasoned collectors but those considering purchasing their first rare book or print.

Guaranteed Authenticity
GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY
International Delivery
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY
Meet Our Booksellers
MEET OUR BOOKSELLERS
Free Gift Wrapping
FREE GIFT WRAPPING

BOOK COLLECTING IDEAS

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping

Basket