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is an exceptional, authentic 19th-century French uncut playing card sheet featuring the famous \"Jeu Grotesque\" / \"Jeu des Drapeaux\" caricature design. Originally engraved or lithographed in Paris during the first half of the 1800s, this complete printer\'s sheet showcases 32 reversible, hand-colored transformation playing cards where the suit pips are seamlessly integrated into the whimsical, satirical characters.
KEY ATTRIBUTES & PROVENANCE
- Total Sheet Dimensions: 23 inches x 17 1/2 inches (Full uncut margins).
- Individual Card Dimensions: Approximately 10.8 cm x 6.8 cm (4.25 inches x 2.68 inches).
- Paper Stock: Authentic 19th-century wire-laid rag paper with highly visible vertical chain lines when backlit.
- Watermark Verified: Features the rare, elegant cursive italic \"Arches\" countermark embedded within the paper structure. This historic watermark from the legendary Papeteries d\'Arches mill firmly verifies the piece as an early, original 19th-century impression and completely distinguishes it from modern 20th-century decorative facsimiles.
- Format: Rare, uncut 32-card printer\'s block with full margins, ideal for high-end framing and archival display.
CONDITION REPORT
The sheet is in very good, stable antique condition given its age of nearly 200 years. It features full, intact wide margins with light edge wear, minor creasing, and gentle age-appropriate toning.
- Blemish Note: There is a minor localized surface abrasion (skinning or fiber lift) at one of the central cross-intersections where the card gutters meet (please see close-up photo). Fortunately, this blemish is restricted almost entirely to the blank dividing margin and does not compromise the primary hand-colored artwork or the integrity of the playing card borders or suits.
SHIPPING & HANDLING
Due to the delicate nature of early 19th-century rag paper, this sheet will be shipped flat, safely secured between sturdy layers of rigid protective cardboard to ensure it cannot bend or shift during transit. International shipping is available.
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