The former Games reunited
Anciens Jeux Réunis: The Elegance of Belle Époque Board Games
The **"Jeux Réunis" or "Jeux nouveaux réunis"** (United Games or New United Games) boxes, which appeared at the end of the 19th century and lasted until the late 1930s, represent a true concentration of French gaming art. Far from the standardized goose, ludo, or bingo sets of subsequent decades, these old boxes offered a refined selection of **skill games**, **patience games**, **mechanical puzzles**, and **strategy games**.
The principle was simple: to bring together several **small board games** in individual boxes, each carefully illustrated and published separately, to allow for hours of family or intellectual entertainment. These sets were highly prized as gifts, especially during the holiday season, and offered a true diversity in terms of graphics and gameplay.
Iconic Publishers: J.J.F., M.D. Paris
Among the emblematic publishers of the Belle Époque, two names frequently appear on old game boxes: MD Paris and JJF Paris. Behind the initials M.D., we find Lucien Mauclair, a former employee of Watilliaux, who founded his own company in 1887 before partnering with Maurice Dacier. Together, they created the firm Mauclair-Dacier, established in 1891 at 3 rue des Haudriettes in Paris.
In 1904, Mauclair-Dacier was acquired by the company JJF (Jeux et Jouets Français), which continued manufacturing games within the JJF group – sometimes interpreted as Jules Jacques Frédéric, although this identification remains uncertain – becoming one of the most active publishers from the 1900s to the 1930s, until its disappearance towards the end of this period. It is not uncommon to find games where the two brands coexist, one signing the box, the other the rules, a sign of a close collaboration between manufacturer and publisher within the same network.
Sometimes you also find the signature **S.C or N.K,** probably that of other publishers or distributors from the same period. Less documented, these acronyms nevertheless appear on games of comparable quality, and could designate commercial entities associated with the distribution of games subcontracted by other printers.
The productions from these houses are distinguished by the richness of the printing, the finesse of the lithographed illustrations, and a form of visual poetry typical of the Belle Époque.
Old Games Combining Skill, Strategy, and Ingenuity
These old boxes, known as "Jeux Réunis", gathered a wide range of games designed to stimulate both the mind and dexterity.
They were designed to offer a complete and varied gaming experience, capable of entertaining the whole family. They notably included:
— patience games, in the form of puzzles or marble tracks,
— skill games, requiring fine motor skills or hand-eye coordination,
— strategy or observation games, sometimes designed for two or more players,
— educational or instructional games, incorporating questions and answers, riddles, or playful general knowledge tests,
— and sometimes even narrative or symbolic games, which invited imagination through miniature universes, scenes inspired by the circus, the city, or the animal world.
This richness of content, carefully illustrated and manufactured from lithographed cardboard, made the Jeux Réunis a prized gift for New Year's or children's parties. They feature a multitude of themes such as:
- The Circus and Clowns
- Animals
Vintage Games to Collect and Pass On
In addition to their heritage and graphic value, these period games are true witnesses to the evolution of pedagogy through play. The care taken in the materials (paper, embossed cardboard, polychrome prints), the **artisanal-industrial** nature of their manufacture, and the richness of the themes addressed make them sought-after collector's items for enthusiasts of **old games**, **19th-century toys**, or **French playful curiosities**.
You will find a selection of these games published around 1900 on our online antique shop in the Vintage Games section, with detailed descriptions and several photos.
If you are looking for a **Jeux Réunis box from before 1920**, or an **old illustrated game box** signed JJF, MD, or SC Paris, do not hesitate to browse our selection or contact us for more information.
