Naipes Argentinos
Argentinean Playing Cards
It is assumed that playing cards had been introduced to the Americas with explorers such as Columbus or Cortés.
Cards would almost certainly have travelled from Spain, and stories are told of them being improvised from drum-skins.
Native Indian cards, modelled on the Spanish pack,
are a curious spin-off from here. Later, locally-made cards were deemed illegal by the Spanish authorities who wished
to exploit the monopoly, and to this end the
'Real Fábrica de Naipes de Macharaviaya' (1776-1815) was established, officially supplying playing cards for
Central and South American colonies and controlled by the 'Ministerio de Hacienda' in Madrid. These cards were of the
so-called 'National Spanish' style.
However, there were many problems with the cards, including poor quality and high prices in comparison with locally manufactured ones. In 1815 the 'Real Fábrica' was closed and once again local playing card industries were legally licensed to operate in their respective countries. By 1830 there were at least four playing card manufacturers in Buenos Aires. Argentinean playing cards have imitated Spanish styles, notably the Catalan and Cádiz patterns; but many show more artistic variant designs. Today local manufacture is being severely challenged by Chinese exportation.
Above left: Argentinean playing cards, made in Buenos Aires in 1815 by M.J. Gandarillas, a Chilean immigrant. The ace of coins shows the emblem of the newly established Federal Republic, the four of cups a rising sun within a laurel wreath. The remainder of the pack resembles the Spanish National pattern.
Above right: ace of coins and king of swords by José Maria Quercia y Possi, an Italo-Chilean immigrant who also set up business in Buenos Aires in 1815. Apart from the distinctively patriotic ace, the remainder of the pack resembles the Spanish Maciá pattern.