OROCCO & LGERIA

The earliest literary references to playing cards in Europe refer to the game having been introduced by a 'Saracen', and also to Moorish and Damascene varieties of playing card. We do not know for sure what these fourteenth century cards looked like… but for an idea click here.

The occupation of enclaves in North Africa was one of the objectives most actively pursued by the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella after the conquest of Granada. This expansionist policy was curtailed shortly afterwards when Spain turned its efforts to the recently discovered West Indies. It might be logical to assume that North Africa has always been supplied with Spanish suited cards, and that these came primarily from France or Spain.

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries playing cards were imported into Morocco and Algeria from Spain and France by manufacturers such as Camoin, La Ducale, B.P. Grimaud and others. These were of the Spanish National pattern, based on the Félix Solesio designs produced by the Real Fábrica de Madrid at Macharaviaya (1776-1815).

The Camoin firm closed down in 1971, but many clones of Camoin's cards have been, and still are being produced by a succession of Moroccan manufacturers, usually from Casablanca. These include:

Malka Frères
Imprimerie Royale
Imprimerie de L'Entente
Imprimerie Litho-Type Marocaine
Maroc Cartes

  …and other anonymous brands such as Cartes Lion, L'Elephant, L'Aigle or Sindibad. Morocco is now one of the last remaining countries to use the old Spanish National pattern.

What is noticeable about all these imitations is that, with one or two exceptions, they are all virtually identical, showing a strong adherence to tradition. Apart from a gradual simplification in the outlines, the main change has been the disappearance of the tethered goat in the background of the Sota (Jack) of coins in some of the lowest grade examples. With the modernisation of Morocco, perhaps traditions will loosen further…