A wonderful set of antique French Napoleon III fate-and-fortune cards. These illustrated cards are 19th-century French fortune-telling salon games. Each card features a thematic illustration at the top (such as a sailing ship or period characters) followed by a numbered list of predictions written in a poetic, mysterious style. This was a romantic fortune-telling party game. Players would draw numbers to read humorous or poetic "predictions" about their future marriage, love life, and fortune. Written in elegant, vintage French. For example, line 10 on the ship motif card reads: "You will learn that the sky of marriage is not always without clouds." The ornate borders, central vignettes (such as the sailing ship), and red frames are characteristic of 19th-century French lithography, or Imagerie d'Épinal (popular prints).
There are six cards, each with a central hand-colored motif. Sold individually, they can be identified by central motif. Each card measures approximately 9" x 5.3".
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