John Sterling - Distigráfica S.R.L.
John Sterling publishes budget-grade playing cards in Argentina.
John Sterling was a distributor of various French or Spanish-suited budget brands of playing card in Argentina, often published anonymously or in association with Distigrafica S.R.L. Some of them may have been printed in China. Decks often include a lute-playing joker.
Above: ESSO Shop playing cards printed in red/yellow/black by John Sterling, 1999. 52 cards + 2 jokers + extra card in box.
Above: various playing card brands published by John Sterling.
Spanish suited cards
Many budget-grade decks are sold anonymously to avoid licensing or because they verge on obscenity.
Above: Diego Maradona football deck published by John Sterling / Distigráfica S.R.L., 2000. 48 cards + 2 jokers in box. The two jokers have the lute player as index signs but otherwise the pack is completely anonymous.
Above: Naipes Para Ellos published by John Sterling / Distigráfica S.R.L., c.2005. 48 cards + 2 jokers in box. In the same format as the above example, both jokers have the lute player index sign but otherwise the pack is completely anonymous.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact
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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