Playing cards are believed to have been first developed in China where paper was also invented.  The earliest authentic references to playing cards in Europe date from 1377.

Their popularity quickly spread throughout Europe. France was a major producer of playing cards. A Royal license was required to produce cards.  France was divided into 9 card producing regions regions: the Guyenne region (Bordeaux being the major city) was especially renowned for the quality of their playing cards. They were printed in black and then hand colored: these 18th century cards are extremely rare, very few having survived over the centuries.

Their bold colors and unusual designs will make interesting needlepoint projects.

18 mesh Zwiegart canvases with antique playing card designs optimized to be “stitcher friendly.”      Each hand-crafted  canvas comes with a free art print (a $ 14.95 value)  printed on archival paper which can be used as a stitching guide as well as a framed print

Folded Notecards are available of all images on premium archival cardstock.                                  Size: 4.62 x 6.25 inches (folded). Packages of 4 (with envelopes) at $ 9.95 per package