Playing cards - Paper

This is a rare, uncut sheet of French playing cards from the early 19th century (ca. 1813-1815), titled "Jeu des Drapeaux" (Game of the Flags).

Background and Features
These so-called "transformation cards" were issued to commemorate Napoleon I’s military successes and troops. The cards are unique because the traditional suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) are creatively woven into the military flags and standards of various armies:

Hearts: Represent French troops.
Spades: Represent the English, Scots, and Irish.
Other colors: Show troops of allies and enemies, such as Russians and Prussians.

Historical Context
The deck was probably published around 1815, the year Napoleon returned from Elba and was ultimately defeated at Waterloo. The hand-colored engravings show detailed uniforms and scenes of army units from that period.

The dimensions of the listing are
72.8 by 61.8

Card by card within the listing is
52 cm by 41.5

The cards themselves are 10 cm by 6.5 cm