Playing Cards by Compañia General de Fósforos
Playing Cards by Compañia General de Fósforos, Bs. As. (founded 1888).
Compañía General de Fósforos, S.A., Bs. As.
Founded in 1888, the group opened a printing establishment to produce match boxes. Soon after they expanded into the graphic arts business and by 1904 had established a paper mill. In 1893 a sister company was opened in Uruguay who also produced playing cards. In 1929 the firm's playing card production was taken over by Compañía General Fabril Financiera S.A. which continued its existence until 1995.
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Above: 5 cards from an "Angelito" Spanish Catalán type pack manufactured in Buenos Aires by Compañia General de Fósforos, California 1270, Buenos Aires, c.1905. Based on designs of Sebastian Comas y Ricart of Barcelona (Spain) who had previously imported playing cards into Argentina. The black 'Mercury' tax stamp on the four of cups suggests a date around 1895-1905.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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