The World of Playing Cards Logo
Published March 04, 2002 Updated July 15, 2022

Argentinian Playing Cards - Naipes Argentinos

Playing cards were introduced to the Americas with Spanish explorers such as Columbus or Cortés.

Argentina Latin America Add to Collection

Playing Cards in Argentina employ Spanish suit symbols: cups, swords, coins and clubs (termed copas, espadas, oros and bastos).
See List of Manufacturers →

Naipes Criollos

Above left: Argentinean playing cards, made in Buenos Aires in 1815 by M.J. Gandarillas, a Chilean immigrant. The ace of coins shows the emblem of the newly established Federal Republic, the four of cups a rising sun within a laurel wreath. The remainder of the pack resembles the Spanish National pattern. more →

Above right: ace of coins and king of swords by José Maria Quercia y Possi, an Italo-Chilean immigrant who also set up business in Buenos Aires in 1815. The pack is based on the Spanish Maciá pattern. more →


Above: La Primitiva, Bs As., playing card manufacturer c.1880-1920  more →

It is assumed that playing cards had been introduced to the Americas with explorers such as Columbus or Cortés. Cards would almost certainly have travelled from Spain, and stories are told of them being improvised from drum-skins. Later, locally-made cards were deemed illegal by the Spanish authorities who wished to exploit their monopoly, for which purpose the 'Real Fábrica de Naipes de Macharaviaya' (1776-1815) was established, officially supplying playing cards for Central and South American colonies and controlled by the 'Ministerio de Hacienda' in Madrid. These cards are in the so-called 'National Spanish' style.

However, there were many problems with the cards, including poor quality and high prices in comparison with locally manufactured ones. In 1815 the 'Real Fábrica' was closed and once again local playing card industries were legally licensed to operate in their respective countries. Manuel José de Gandarillas was the first manufacturer to set up business in 1815, and by 1830 there were at least four playing card manufacturers operating in Buenos Aires. See complete list here.

Argentinian playing cards have followed Spanish styles, notably the Maciá, Cádiz and Catalan patterns which became established during the 19th century based on models imported from Spain, notably by Fló Hnos and Bertrand Domec.

Duty was first introduced on playing cards in Argentina in 1892, as part of the Internal Duties law, and in 1896 the first duty labels were printed to be used on packets of 1 gross packs. In 1899 these were replaced by bands, initially for a dozen packs and then for single packs   more →

Naipes para Truco 'Falta Envido', 1982

Many packs published in Argentina contain references to Argentina's national identity such as National Symbolism, Politics, Gauchos, Tango dance, Bull Breeding and Folklore. However, for everyday games requiring a Spanish-suited pack, a simple version of the Spanish Catalan pattern is commonly used. Native Indian cards, modelled on the Spanish pack, are a curious spin-off.

Several varieties of Cartomancy, Fortune-Telling, Tarock and Tarot packs have been produced in Argentina, as well as a number of souvenir packs, card games, advertising packs, etc.

Angus playing cards designed by Gustavo A. Pueyrredón, c.1975

Above: Angus playing cards designed by Gustavo A. Pueyrredón, c.1975  more →


Casa Escasany

Above: Casa Escasany

sketch for playing card by Leonor Fini

Above: Leonor Fini

special pack designed by ‘Caloi’ for Cigarrillos PARLIAMENT

Above: Caloi


Football

Above: Figuritas Golazo collectible football cards, 1973  more →

Above: “Desafio” Spanish-suited playing cards with caricatures of football players on every card, c.2000.

Above: World Cup ’98 caricatures.


Above: Axe Deodorant Playing Cards by Zecat, Argentina, c.2004  more →

Above: 125th anniversary of the Argentinian “Servicio de Hidrografía Naval”, 2004  more →

Above: Naipes Truco “Únicos” designed by Gerardo N. Perez, 2006  more →

Above: Naipes Gauchescos Argentinos, 2004.  more →

Above: ‘Naipe Criollo Caraí Pujol’ with Gaucho designs by Julio F. Parada Seifert, 2005.  more →

Above: ‘Gaucho’ Spanish-suited deck made in Argentina, 2001.  more →

Above: El Rodeo Talabartería.  more →

Roche Pharmaceutical playing cards, 1980s

Above: Roche Pharmaceutical deck, 1980s  more →

Spanish playing cards with Pre-Columbian designs from Argentina, 2001

Above: Cartas Precolombinas, 2001  more →

Above: Naipes Garaycochea, c.2002  more →

Above: ‘Black Tango’ playing cards published by Gardés Editorial, 2003  more →

Above: Naipes de Poker “Milonguita”, Gardés Editorial, 2003  more →

La Cumparsita Tango deck manufactured in Argentina, anonymous manufacturer, 2001

Above: La Cumparsita Tango deck, 2001  more →

Article in Infobae 10th May 2005

Article in Infobae 10th May 2005 Tax stamps Naipes Argentinos Aparcero Baraja POPULAR
avatar
1,433 Articles

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.


Related Articles

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds

Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds

A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.

1986 Peintres Latino Americains

Peintres Latino Americains

Original artwork by 18 different Latin American artists.

1880 B.P. Grimaud pack for Bolivia

B.P. Grimaud pack for Bolivia

Spanish-suited pack made in France for sale in Bolivia, c.1880.

1860 South American Costumes

South American Costumes

Costumes of people of Brazil, Peru and Mexico, with views of Rio de Janeiro on the aces.

1802 Félix Solesio e Hijos

Félix Solesio e Hijos

Félix Solesio e Hijos - Real Fábrica de Madrid - Spanish National pattern for Venezuela

1902 Parisian Spanish pattern by Fossorier, Amar et Cie

Parisian Spanish pattern by Fossorier, Amar et Cie

‘Parisian’ Spanish pattern published by Fossorier, Amar et Cie (Paris), c.1902.

1801 Félix Solesio e Hijos

Félix Solesio e Hijos

Félix Solesio e Hijos, Fábrica de Macharaviaya, Spanish National pattern for West Indies, 1801.

1970 Naipe de Bridge

Naipe de Bridge

Standard English pattern pack made in Ecuador, c.1970.

1992 Quinto Centenario del Descubrimiento de América

Quinto Centenario del Descubrimiento de América

Fifth Centenary of the Discovery of America by Heraclio Fournier, 1992.

Parisian style Spanish deck by Grimaud

Parisian style Spanish deck by Grimaud

Parisian style Spanish deck by Grimaud for export to Uruguay.

1980 Egyptian Tarot

Egyptian Tarot

Egyptian Tarot inspired by ancient Egyptian art, mythology, and iconography, published by Naipes La ...

1995 Naipes Criollos

Naipes Criollos

“Naipes Criollos” Gaucho playing cards, 1995.

2002 Naipes Cardón

Naipes Cardón

Naipes Cardón designed by Mario Luis Rivero depicting traditional Argentine culture and identity, 20...

2003 El Oráculo de la Bruja

El Oráculo de la Bruja

“El Oráculo de la Bruja” fortune-telling cards, 2003.

2000 Martín Fierro

Martín Fierro

Naipes “Martín Fierro” based on the epic poem by José Hernandez.

1977 Naipes Parliament por Caloi

Naipes Parliament por Caloi

Carlos Loiseau, better known as ‘Caloi’, was a cartoonist whose designs for Parliament Cigarettes we...

1980 Minifusor Tipo Español

Minifusor Tipo Español

Naipes "Minifusor" tipo Español published by Difusora S.A., c.1980.

1975 Clark’s Industries

Clark’s Industries

Clark’s Industries Spanish Cards, c.1975.

2002 El Tripero

El Tripero

Hand-drawn semi-erotic, satirical playing cards by Lautaro Fiszman ‘El Tripero’, 2002.

1760 Anonymous Spanish Suited pack, c.1760

Anonymous Spanish Suited pack, c.1760

Anonymous archaic Spanish suited pack, c.1760.

1979 Mordillo Skat

Mordillo Skat

Mordillo Skat designed by Guillermo Mordillo, c.1979

1960 America

America

“America” playing cards designed by Teodoro N Miciano, 1960.

1955 Cartas Gitanas

Cartas Gitanas

The designs of these fortune-telling cards are largely taken from nineteenth century Austrian "Rural...

2002 Naipes Garaycochea

Naipes Garaycochea

Humorous playing cards designed by Carlos Garaycochea, Buenos Aires, c.2002.

2000 Desafio Football Caricatures

Desafio Football Caricatures

“Desafio” playing cards with football player caricatures, c.2000

1980 Roche Playing Cards

Roche Playing Cards

Roche Pharmaceutical playing cards, 1980s.

2001 Cartas Precolombinas

Cartas Precolombinas

Spanish playing cards with Pre-Columbian designs from Argentina, 2001.

2000 World Cup ’98

World Cup ’98

World Cup ’98 football team pack for Paradigma Consulting Group, 2000.

1978 Mundialito de Radiolandia 2000

Mundialito de Radiolandia 2000

‘Mundialito’ toy football playing cards published inside the magazine ‘Radiolandia 2000’, Argentina,...

1998 Baraja Gaucha

Baraja Gaucha

“Baraja Gaucha” fantasy deck designed by Mateo Tikas Plechas for Argentina, 1998.

La Baraja

La Baraja

Anonymous “La Baraja” Spanish deck, c.2005.

2000 Pedro Domecq

Pedro Domecq

Anglo-American pattern for Pedro Domecq Mexican brandy made by Productos Leo S.A., c.2000.

2006 Baraja Gaucha Juan C. Yelina

Baraja Gaucha Juan C. Yelina

Baraja Gaucha by Juan C. Yelina for Profertil S.A., 2006.

Naipe Cantaclaro

Naipe Cantaclaro

A colourful version of the Spanish Catalan pattern from Colombia, with a crowing cockerel on the 4 o...

1815 Naipes Artiguistas, 1816

Naipes Artiguistas, 1816

Naipes Artiguistas published in Concepción del Uruguay, Entre Rios province (Argentina) in 1816, by ...

2004 Servicio de Hidrografía Naval

Servicio de Hidrografía Naval

125th anniversary of the Argentine Naval Hydrographic Service, 2004.

2003 Milonguita

Milonguita

Naipes de Poker “Milonguita” featuring early Tango music score covers, Gardés Editorial, 2003.

2001 Gaucho Naipes

Gaucho Naipes

‘Gaucho’ Spanish-suited deck, anonymous manufacturer, made in Argentina, 2001.

2005 Naipe Criollo Caraí Pujol

Naipe Criollo Caraí Pujol

‘Naipe Criollo Caraí Pujol’ with Gaucho designs by Julio F. Parada Seifert capturing the spirit of A...

Piñón Fijo

Piñón Fijo

“Piñón Fijo” is an Argentine clown, whose real name is Fabián Gómez. He is well-known on Argentine c...

2006 El Rodeo Talabartería

El Rodeo Talabartería

Promotional playing cards produced for ‘El Rodeo Talabartería’ specialising in leather goods and clo...