The Art of the Game
Founded in Paris in 1848, Grimaud unites artistic tradition and creative craft to conjure refined playing cards and sophisticated accessories for the most elevated of recreational experiences.
A true original
In the 1840s, Baptiste Paul Grimaud, a young courier, roamed the streets of Paris with his acute curiosity and ambitious mind.
Setting up his own printing business at only 23 years of age, Grimaud developed the modern features that define playing cards as we know them today – full opacity, rounded corners, double-headed faces and four corner indices.
Baptiste Paul Grimaud’s groundbreaking collaborations with talented artists and skilled artisans created designs that resonated across the globe. One year after he died in 1899, the company was awarded its greatest accolade, the Grand Prix at the 1900 Exposition Universelle.
Maître Cartier
Through its history of innovation, artistic influence, and dedication to artisan printing methods, Grimaud celebrates fine craftsmanship in cards and accessories, inspiring lasting moments of shared time at play and an appreciation for the utmost quality.
Rue De Lancry
Our story first unfolded in Paris on Rue de Bondy, before moving in 1865 to an Art Nouveau atelier at 52 Rue de Lancry, which would be home to Grimaud for the following 90 years.
It was here that Baptiste Paul Grimaud worked to create technical perfection with his cutting machinery with the help of Félix Simon, an engraver translating design of artists intro engraved wood block for cards printing.
Inside the decks
Designed for various card games, Grimaud’s cards are presented in custom boxes with the Universal Exhibitions medals and historic Grimaud seal. The cards are available in two versions: Coral Red or Dolphin Blue backs. Each card is printed on premium black casino paper. An original varnish provides improved ergonomics for durable cards, and a ten-color printing technique guarantees optimal vibrancy and tonal stability. All Grimaud cards feature gilded corners introduced by Baptiste Paul Grimaud, who not only popularized rounded corners but also introduced gilding to make our cards more resistant to shocks and folding.
While its colors are drawn from Grimaud’s ornate ‘Jeu Louis XV’ costume deck issued in 1895, the Face Cards respect the traditional features of biblical and Greek mythology as well as the French Royal characters from the ‘Portraits Parisiens’ deck of 1855 in detail and postures. Meanwhile, elegant and unique new motifs draw inspiration from old Grimaud symbols carved by Félix Simon hidden with the imagery of the four suites: Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades.
