I first purchased a batch of heart pips from this very same deck from a seller in Holland, who has been parsing them out a few at a time. When he posted these I snatched them up immediately--I think they are just extraordinarily beautiful! I believe they date to the 1780s or so and are likely Belgian, which was a hub for playing card production in the 18th century, largely for export to England. I just love their imperfectly cut, square edged, elongated rectangular forms, and the lush, true jet black of those gorgeous spades, bleeding a little around the edges. The backs, printed with a pattern of sun-like faces inside a hexagonal labyrinth, are pretty terrific too. Really lovely things, which I think I'd frame just as shown.
Sold as a set: 2 thru 8 less the 7 which I imagine disappeared long ago. In very good condition for their age, with wear and staining here and there that I think just makes them more beautiful. No tears or folds. Cards measure just a hair larger than 4 1/4" x 2 1/4" each.
