The World of Playing Cards Logo

The English Playing Card Society

EPCS Logo

Promoting research into English card history since 1984. Members receive the EPCS magazine three times a year.

Join from £10/year

J. F. Sanchez - Buenos Aires c.1895

Published October 24, 1999 Updated June 12, 2023

J. F. Sanchez - Buenos Aires c.1895.

1895 ArgentinaLatin AmericaSanchez

J. F. SANCHEZ - Buenos Aires

Record ID no.4 formerly in Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library (but now removed) shows a 40-card Spanish suited pack made by J. F. Sanchez, Buenos Aires.

The cards closely follow designs by Sebastian Comas (Barcelona), imported into Argentina since the late 19th century by Fló Hermanos. However, closer inspection reveals that the pack is made up from two different packs. One is a traditional Spanish Catalan type pack (left), the other is a redrawn version of the Catalan pattern (right) based on El Escudo Armado design by Comas. The Spanish Catalan pattern was clearly well-established in Argentina by this time.

Playing cards made by J. F. Sanchez, Buenos Aires, c.1890

Comparing the design of the cup symbol in the left and right-hand examples, and the style of the court cards, shows that the cards are from different packs. The printing process is given as colour lithography but the cards appear to have been coloured using stencils. The back of the cards has been treated with a roller to create a random pattern.

avatar
1,494 Articles

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.

Activity for J. F. Sanchez - Buenos Aires c.1895

Sign in to comment or save this article.


Related Articles

1995 Naipes Criollos

Naipes Criollos

“Naipes Criollos” Gaucho playing cards, 1995.

Naipes Españoles “El Mexicano”

Naipes Españoles “El Mexicano”

Standard Catalan-type deck, titled "El Mexicano", by an anonymous Argentinean manufacturer, c.1980s....

2008 Foto Joker

Foto Joker

'Foto Joker' Spanish playing cards for Matera Color Laboratory, 2008.

1998 Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals

Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals

Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals, c.1998 & Bodegas Trapiche, 2003.

2001 La Española Classic

La Española Classic

‘La Española Classic’ is a traditional ‘La Española’ Spanish-suited pack and is produced in several ...

1980 Lagos del Sur Souvenir

Lagos del Sur Souvenir

Lagos del Sur Souvenir playing cards published by Gráfica S.A., Buenos Aires, c.1980.

2004 Axe Deodorant

Axe Deodorant

Clearly promoting good personal hygiene, each card shows a young female model posing seductively and...

Naipes Vigor S.R.L.

Naipes Vigor S.R.L.

VIGOR S.R.L (1955 - c1975) manufactured a range of playing cards and card games, including Chinita, ...

1980 Minifusor Clásico

Minifusor Clásico

Minifusor Clásico, a modern re-drawing of the Catalan pattern published by Difusora, c.1980.

1975 Naipes Joketa

Naipes Joketa

“Naipes Joketa” by anonymous manufacturer, c.1975. A slightly elaborated version of conosur pattern....

1965 Naipes Victoria - page 2

Naipes Victoria - page 2

Naipes Victoria was Cía Fabril Financiera's leading brand of Spanish-suited playing cards.

Joker S.A.

Joker S.A.

Playing cards manufactured by Joker S.A.

Argentinian Playing Cards - Naipes Argentinos

Argentinian Playing Cards - Naipes Argentinos

Playing cards were introduced to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.

Justo Rodero e Hijos

Justo Rodero e Hijos

Justo Rodero e Hijos, playing card manufacturer in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

C. Della Penna & Cía, Bs Aires, c.1930-1978

C. Della Penna & Cía, Bs Aires, c.1930-1978

C. Della Penna S.A. playing card manufacturer and publisher, Buenos Aires, c.1930-1978.

Francisco Girbau & Cia, Buenos Aires

Francisco Girbau & Cia, Buenos Aires

Francisco Girbau & Cia, Buenos Aires, c.1890-1935

1815 J. M. Gandarillas, Buenos Aires, c.1815

J. M. Gandarillas, Buenos Aires, c.1815

Playing cards believed to have been designed in 1815 by the Chilean immigrant Manuel José Gandarilla...

Casa Escasany

Casa Escasany

Naipes Casa Escasany ~ Magnificent novelty playing cards published by Casa Escasany, Buenos Aires, A...

1970 Fagoaga y Compañía (Casa Bertrand Domec), Buenos Aires, c.1970

Fagoaga y Compañía (Casa Bertrand Domec), Buenos Aires, c.1970

Playing Cards Imported into Argentina by Fagoaga y Compañía (Casa Bertrand Domec), Buenos Aires, c.1...

List of Argentinian Playing Card Manufacturers

List of Argentinian Playing Card Manufacturers

List of Argentinian Playing Card Manufacturers from the 19th and 20th centuries.


Sign in with Google