Andrew Nethercott Antiques has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
French animated caricature cards, circa 1820
Probably created for sale by Alphonse Giroux
The slip case with etched pictorial label showing two character and titled Cartes Mimiques
the back with applied label Alph: Giroux Rue du Coq St. Honore No 7 a Paris
The ten cards show caricatures of various characters, some literary.
The upper part of the head of each character is printed separately,
cut out and attached to the card, with a strip of card pierced through to the back.
The card strip at the back may be moved and the mouth appears to open and close.
Cards ten present show:-
Mme Pernell
Mr. Mirliflore
L'Officier Hongroes
Vajorine
Le Roman
Mr Leveille
Le Verre de Punch
Mlle Cunegonde
Le Vieux Chasseur
Milady Rout
Not all the cards are present, probably originally there were sixteen
The outer case is well worn with glue and tape repairs.
The cards are printed and hand coloured and measure 105mm x 77mm.
A very rare surviving toy considering the animated fun it offers.
The only other example I found was in the V&A Museum of Childhood collection.
Alphonse Giroux, "the merchant of the princes", is an important Parisian manufacturer of luxury furniture and accessories, whose products were intended for an aristocratic and bourgeois clientele, installed as early as 1799 at No. 7, rue du Coq Saint -Honoré, then Boulevard des Capucines. Founded by François-Simon-Alphonse Giroux under the name "A. GIROUX in PARIS", it was taken over by the Giroux children and remained active under the name of "Alphonse Giroux et Cie" until 1867, when the direction is taken over by Ferdinand Duvinage .
The store founded by Giroux father often changes of description in the directory, and one guesses a very diversified activity. Specializing in paper and artistic supplies, he is also a restorer of paintings and proposes objects of fantasy and writing: writing desks, inkwells and also toys. Indeed, on June 6, 1818, he filed the patent for the kaleidoscope, which he also called the "transfigurator." This new toy is a huge success and Alphonse Giroux attracts a clientele in demand for luxury gifts.
Andrew Nethercott Antiques has dated this piece to the 19th Century.
Works of art, collectables, scientific and decorative antiques from the 17th - 20th century
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Andrew Nethercott Antiques Profile Page
Cartes Mimiques French Novelty Animated Card Game Toy Caricature Antique
