Uruguayan Playing Cards - The World of Playing Cards

Uruguayan Playing Cards - Naipes Uruguayos

Until the 19th century playing cards were imported into Uruguay from Spain. The local population was very fond of card games and the vice of gambling was often a problem. The Spanish treasury department was also able to raise revenues from playing cards and in 1778 a crown monopoly tax was imposed on tobacco and playing cards. In return for this, higher quality products were supposed to be made available, although in practice this never happened as the cards supplied from the Real Fábrica de Macharaviaya were always found to be deficient in quality. This royal enterprise was finally ended in 1812.

In 1830 Uruguay was proclaimed an independent republic. After the abolition of the Estanco de Tabacos y Naipes playing cards were imported from foreign countries such as Belgium, France, USA and Spain. There was a tax which applied to playing cards.

The 'Parisian' Spanish pattern became established in Uruguay based on examples imported from France. At some point (c.1960) Uruguayan manufacturers tried to 'modernise' the appearance of the pack with new court designs based loosely on Fournier's 'Castilian' pattern. This 'New Uruguayan' pattern is still produced today. The Spanish 'Catalan' pattern is also favoured. Some Anglo-American style packs have also been produced with interesting court card designs. Second only to Argentina, Uruguay has produced a number of Gaucho themed packs as well as a selection of novel designs and children's packs. Known publishers and manufacturers include:

Fray Solano García - Naipes Artiguistas (1816)
Escalada y Vidiella, Montevideo, (1860s)
Children's playing cards (1920s-30s) - Football, 'National Heroes', Proverbs & Maxims
Botella & Cía, Montevideo (1920s-30s)
José Juncosa, Paysandú 1421, Montevideo (1930s)
Camilloni Hnos, Dante 2232, Montevideo - Naipes 'Miguelito', 'Tito'
M.C. de Casabó S.A., Cuareim 1885, Montevideo - Naipes 'American', 'Bambú', 'The Monkey', 'Tatú', 'Jaque'
Compañía General de Fósforos Montevideana S.A. - Naipes 'Victoria', 'Ancla'
Gráficos Unidos S.A. (García Morales-Mercant), Dante 1978, Montevideo - Naipes 'El Gaucho'
Cervantes, Soriano 873, Montevideo - Naipes 'El Gaucho'
Caraven S.A. - Naipes 'El Gaucho'
Fantasias S.A., Soriano 813, Montevideo - Naipes 'Retruco'
Ingrapa S.A. (Industria Gráfica y Papelera ? sucesores de C.G.F.M.), Santa Fe 1167 (1980s-90s) - Naipes '210', Super', 'Ancla', 'Charabon'
Nacadi SRL, Gutierrez Ruiz 1121, Montevideo (c.1999)
Eduardo Carrión, Pablo de María 1057 Ap. 301, 11200 Montevideo (2000- )
Manos del Uruguay (2001) - Las Cartas de Tacuabé
Impresos Manrique for: Inacal, Radisson Hotel (Montevideo)
Anabella Corsi, Montevideo, (2008- ) - Naipes 'La Criolla'

Market conditions are changing in Uruguay. Casabó S.A. have ceased producing playing cards and other more adaptable, new companies are emerging. Corporate publicity packs are currently being produced by Impresos Manrique and Plasur, who source their playing cards from various manufacturers. Packs destined for the Uruguayan market are also being produced anonymously or in neighbouring countries:

Argenar for Cymaco motor parts
Anonymous (Chinese) for Yerba Armiño
Conrad Punta del Este Casino
Miniature "Naipes Donald" children's playing cards
Miniature playing cards for "Scooby-Doo! Hellmann's Magic"


		Left: Baraja Artiguista designed by Fray Solano García, 1816 Right: Naipes El Gaucho by Gráficos Unidos S.A., Montevideo, c.1960
		Left: Naipes Tatú by M.C. de Casabó S.A., Montevideo c.1955 Right: Naipes Tito by Camilloni Hnos, Montevideo, c.1950
		Left: Baraja 100 Años de Gloria by Nacadi S.R.L., 1999 Right: Playing cards designed by Alvaros, published by Eduardo Carrión, 2000