2 albums with ± 116 paper wrappers for playing cards. [C. 1840-1954] In-fo. Albums in blue leatherette mod. Good condition. Unique collection of overwraps, envelopes and grouping envelopes protected with serpents. The envelopes that were used to wrap the decks of cards fell into disuse after 1940, when they were replaced by boxes. 116 envelopes including 4 gold enhanced and 8 facsimiles as well as 125 cards including 12 jokers and 11 with apparent backs; 16 cards of c. 1900 including 3 aces with the watermark of the Regie, AT with stamp "République française. Decree of April 12, 1890". Most published in Turnhout by Brepols, A. Van Genechten, Mesmaekers frères, Léonard Biermans and La Turnhoutoise, in Vienna by Carl Titze, Franz Hajek, J.G. Steiger, in Budapest by Ferd. Piatnik & Fils and Carl Gilsa, in Frankfurt by C.L. Wüst, in Paris by B.P. Grimaud, in Bratislava by Gottfried Fischer and Josef Jaeger and in Marseille and Casablanca by Camoin. Some envelopes were intended for export to the East Indies, others were used to advertise products such as Belgam or Colombo tobacco, Araks, Boule d'Or or St-Michel cigarettes from Gosset in Brussels, spirits such as Rosada port, Sainte Luce rum, Colsaux cherry wine from E. Sauté in Brussels, or produced by J. Fryns & Cie in Hasselt, F. Van Hoorebeke & fils, P. Bruggeman in Ghent or beers such as Roman, White Star Léopold or the drinking water Dune Bronnen of H. Ruyssen in La Panne and the margarine Fleur des prés, etc. With an introductory page by René Pède summarizing the history of the envelopes used by the cartiers.