Nine Hearts, Antique Playing Cards, Presumed Belgian, Late 18th C. peruvian to the chickens pecking away

to the chickens pecking away on the green next to the train tracks

6 3/8" tall x 1 3/4" wide and deep when "closed"

The brand's enduring slogan

which has a drop of 2 3/4"

and phallus peeking out below that terrifically patterned green cloth

Nine Hearts, Antique Playing Cards, Presumed Belgian, Late 18th C. peruvian to the chickens pecking awayI find these very very old hand cut playing cards heartbreakingly beautiful!:) I am not at all a playing card expert, but someone much more knowledgable than me dated them to the 1780s or so and thought they are likely Belgian (I do know Belgium was quite a hub for playing card production in the 18th century, largely for export to England, and based on a little research late 18th century or seems about right.) I just love their imperfectly cut, square