El Barco
El Barco playing cards designed by E. Pastor, Valencia, Spain, c.1895
Illuminated playing Cards for Chocolates “El Barco” designed by E. Pastor and manufactured by Simeon Durá, Valencia, Spain, c.1895
Above: E. Pastor's magnificently illustrated Spanish suited playing cards specially designed for Chocolates 'El Barco' and printed chromolithographically by Simeon Durá, Valencia, c.1895. This pack is regarded by many collectors as the unsurpassed masterpiece of Spanish playing card production. E. Pastor also designed Simeon Durá's fantasy Castilian pack, which was later re-drawn to become the company's standard pattern.
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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