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Published November 09, 2011 Updated September 08, 2022

El Fenix

Naipe Fino 'El Fenix' playing cards by Clemente Jacques y Cia, Mexico.

Mexico Clemente Jacques Pasatiempos Gallo El Fenix Add to Collection

Naipe Fino ‘El Fenix’

Clemente Jacques y Cia, Mexico

Clemente Jacques' Naipe Fino ‘El Fenix’ is one of several alternative names for the same pack. In it's earliest days it was titled ‘Club’ (c.1900-20), then ‘Casino’ (1920s), ‘Minerva’ (1950s), ‘El Fenix’ (c.1960-70s) and ‘Valenciano’. Normal sized and patience sized packs are known and in later editions the cardboard is very thin and translucent.

Naipe Fino El Fenix by Clemente Jacques y Cia, Mexico, c.1960

Above: Naipe Fino ‘El Fenix’ by Clemente Jacques y Cia S.A., Mexico, c.1960-70. 40 cards. The manufacturer's name can be read on the Four of Coins and the Pages of Swords and Coins. The manufacturer's address is given on the box as: Oriente 237 No.50, Mexico 9, D.F. This is not the usual address, which was usually F.C. de Cintura 1.

In 1970 the former Clemente Jacques y Cia, S.A. changed hands and was renamed Pasatiempos Gallo S.A. In 1990 it became Pasatiempos Gallo S.A. de C.V.

El Fenix playing cards by Pasatiempos Gallo S.A. Mexico c.2000

Above: ‘El Fenix’ Spanish-suited playing cards made by Pasatiempos Gallo S.A. de C.V., Mexico, c.2000. 40 cards. Some small details have changed from the above edition but on the whole the designs are the same; the Ace of Coins has the legend ‘El Fenix’ in white with a bird's head above. The index number ‘1’ on the Ace of Coins is in a larger font size. The manufacturer's name can be read on the Four of Coins and the Pages of Swords and Coins.


References:

García Martín, Enrique: Clemente Jacques, in LA SOTA no.15, Asescoin, Madrid, September 1996

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By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.


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