1848 - french pattern jacks:: Although the "English" pattern existed for several hundred years (although called "English", the old pattern was actually designed in France) a second style of cards was developed in France in around the 1800s. These cards are more life-like in design, have more realistic clothing patterns and were curiously given names based on historical or mythological characters.

This deck features the traditional full-length portraits of the jacks and their names, Hogier (the Dane), La Hire (a French warrior), Hector (of Troy) and Lancelot (King Arthur's knight). There are no links to this pattern and the English pattern, but rather this was a newly created pattern that became an enduring design that still exists in a modified form today.
 
contemporary french pattern deck:: This modern deck shows that although the portraits and designs are reminiscent of the early French pattern, changes in design to make card playing easier, such as creating double-ended or two-headed cards. Unfortunately, some of the design had to be modified to make room for these changes, so the jacks lost their legs, axes, and in the jack of spades' case, his dog.
 
contemporary french pattern deck:: This beautiful deck makes playing even easier with the use of indices in all four corners as well as pips (the spade, heart diamond or club to the left of the jacks' heads). Of course, being made in the France style, the indices are a "V" for valet instead of a "J" for jack. Also unusual is the use of green as an ink instead of blue, and while these are based on the French pattern, they are actually made in Austria in a Genoese style.
 
contemporary french pattern deck from italy:: This deck was made in Italy but clearly uses the French pattern, even using the French and English suits of spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs.

 

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