Baron Louis Atthalin’s Transformation Playing Cards

These are the first French transformation playing cards, somewhat unique in having contemporary manuscript annotations on the reverse that describe the scene depicted by each card. It is recorded that Baron Atthalin designed them while crossing from Palermo to Marseilles in 1814. The cards have plain backs and court cards depicting historical figures. They are finely etched, showing “a high level of artistic ability … with considerable detail” [Albert Field]. The Jack of Clubs is particularly interesting: a self-portrait of Atthalin designing playing cards, with his son [?] examining them. The name ‘Louis Atthalin’ appears in the shield of the legendary knight Lancelot. All 52 cards and their reverse annotations have been detailed so they can remain available to view whether or not the pack sells. The cards are in very good condition. The nine of clubs is missing a coloured club pip [this doesn’t make it more valuable!], and the five of hearts has a weak upper-left corner.