Naipes Nacionales
Naipes Nacionales designed by Manuel Bayardi and published by Clemente Jacques y Cia, Mexico c.1940.
Naipes Nacionales, Mexico, c.1940
Aztec playing cards celebrating the history and customs of the Mexican people...
Naipes Nacionales were designed by Manuel Bayardi and published by Clemente Jacques y Cia., Mexico in c.1940. The designs are based on the clothing, decorations and weapons of the Aztec people after having been researched by Mr Bayardi in manuscripts and the National Museum. The suit symbols are the traditional Spanish ones: coins, clubs, cups & swords. The printing is by chromolithography in eight colours. Decks were issued as single decks (40 cards in a paper wrapper) and also in double boxed sets with matching back designs in blue and red. The back design features an Aztec calendar with four cups.
Above: the magnificent 'Naipes Nacionales' designed by Manuel Bayardi and published by Clemente Jacques y Cia, Mexico c.1940 (click image to zoom). The name of the manufacturer appears on the Jacks of Cups and Clubs. Although the suit symbols are traditional Spanish ones, the court cards are apparently based on persons from Aztec history but are not identified on the cards. Some anachronisms have crept in, as the Aztecs apparently did not ride on horseback although the native Mexican Indian people did acquire horses from the Spaniards.
Manuel Bayardi is possibly the same person whose biography is shown here →. According to research carried out by Enrique García, the brand name ‘Naipes Nacionales’ had been registered by Clemente Jacques y Cia as early as 1895 and again in 1912. The designs of the earlier editions appear to have been by a different artist and were more rudimentary than those shown here.
García Martín, Enrique: Clemente Jacques, in LA SOTA no.15, Asescoin, Madrid, September 1996
García Martín, Enrique: Los Naipes en el Cono Sur Americano, in LA SOTA no.17, Asescoin, Madrid, October 1997
García Martín, Enrique: Las Barajas de Símbolos Españoles en América, in LA SOTA no.25, Asescoin, Madrid, September 2001
See also: Naipe Victoria • Souvenir of Mexico • El Fenix • El León • Gallo Intransparente
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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Christina martinez
29 June 2022, 10:58I recently came across a bunch of playing cards and I have this naipes nacionales deck. It’s obvious the deck is very old.I don’t know much about Playing Cards but now have an interest in them and would like to know more about them and what I have.
Simon Wintle
29 June 2022, 11:15Hi Christina, we hope you will find all the information you need, this is the best site for Latin American cards. All the info we have about Naipes Nacionales is on this page. You can add any extra images or information if you have something interesting, such as a different edition or some new facts. Kind regards.
Wendy Rhodes
04 February 2024, 14:42My Abuelita used this deck to read tarot, I have it but the cards are so fragile that I am afraid to handle them much.