Pre-War Cards

‘It’s In The Details’

Title	Guerin-Boutron Le Jeux D’Enfants Trade Cards
Year	Unknown
Size	2 1/2″ x 4″
Images	Color
Type	Trade
Number in Set	11 (?)

Guerin-Boutron Le Jeux D’Enfants Trade Cards Overview

These unique trade cards were produced in France by a chocolate company, Guerin-Boutron. As you would expect, the text on the cards is in French.

Unlike other trade issues which were sometimes used by many different companies, these cards appear to be exclusive to the Guerin-Boutron name. Guerin-Boutron is still in operation today. It should also be noted that Guerin-Boutron produced many sets of trade cards that include some other sports. Those should not be confused with these and these are quite easy to distinguish with the design on the front and, easier still, the Le Jeux D’Enfants name that is printed on the back.

The cards feature color pictures of children participating in all sorts of sports and games/activities. The set is called Le Jeux D’Enfants, as mentioned on the backs, which translates to ‘The Children’s Game.’ Fronts feature colorful lithographic images of children in the various events. Some are legitimate sports while others are more along the lines of a game or activity.

In addition to the color images, the cards have a wavy decorative frame around the edge as well as a title on the front. Those features are important because they help distinguish these from other Guerin-Boutron trade issues and the company had many of them. Like these cards, many of their other trade cards also pictured children.

Not too many major sports are featured here. However, the set does include cards for golf, boxing, wrestling, polo, and others.

The boxing card is generally the most popular one in the set. Not all cards are to be considered sports cards as most feature children participating in activities such as board games and other types of children’s games.

Questions

I have never seen an exact date for these cards and the consensus seems to be all over the map. I have seen them referenced as a late 1880s or 1890s issue but others state they are dated to the early 1900s. Most sources seem to indicate the latter but references to them are quite scarce.

Another question is about the checklist. Currently, I’ve seen 11 cards in the set. However, I have seen some only recently and have to assume that the checklist is not complete at 11.

Guerin-Boutron Le Jeux D’Enfants Trade Cards Checklist

1. La Boxe (Boxing)
2. Le Diabolo (Chinese Yo-Yo Game)
3. La Fronde (Sling)
4. Les Jacquette (Backgammon)
5. Le Jeu de Dominos (Dominoes)
6. Le Jeu du Golf (Golf)
7. La Joute Sur L’Eau (The Game on the Water)
8. L’Escrime (Fencing)
9. La Lutte (Wrestling)
10. Le Polo (Polo)
11. Les Quatre Coins (Four Corners)

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