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The first time I went to Spain I learned that they used a different set of playing cards (files.catbox.moe)

submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 4 months ago (3 children)

Is there a particular reason that the French style is so much more abstract than the others?

[–] [email protected] 25 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

Suit evolution is quite an interesting topic. The first known card decks were usually made of several hundreds of cards and were not standardized, some didn't even have suits. Symbols, images and shapes varied greatly as they were usually hand painted. This European suits are offshoots of Islamic suits. Most likely, each of these suit styles was an attempt to standardize some game or production at different historical points in time and through the interpretation by entirely different artists. The common theory for French abstraction is that they are much simpler symbols which are faster and easier to reproduce in large quantities. Particularly easy to engrave on the first woodwork prints for mass production.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

Interesting, thank you!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I have no idea, but it looks like they would be much easier to paint with brushes. Or maybe it's to simplify printing with a press; simple shapes, one color each. Just wondering aloud.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

Cheaper to print in bulk