Cappellano S.A. c.1920-c.1985
Originally known as Cappellano Hnos in the 1920s, and undergoing several changes of name and address, the company produced catalan style packs with the brand names "Naipes Triunfo" and "Torcacita" as well as an Anglo-American style pack titled "VELCAP".
Originally known as Cappellano Hnos in the 1920s, over the years the company underwent several changes of name and address. It is by studying these changes that some sort of history of the company has been reconstructed. The evolution of the company from c.1920 to its demise in the 1980s can be followed on these pages. Originally operating as printers and publishers, playing card production commenced during the 1920s and included Spanish-suited packs with the brand names "Naipes Triunfo" and "Torcacita" as well as an Anglo-American style pack titled "VELCAP". There were also Tarok packs and a special Gaucho deck titled Martín Fierro designed by José Speroni.
Above: Naipes 'Triunfo' were first produced by Cappellano Hnos in the 1920s, then by Orestes A. Cappellano, with re-drawn designs in use from c.1930 onwards, similar to those used earlier by Girbau. Decks are found with patterned backs or from about 1955 onwards with advertising reverses, e.g. Fernet Branca, Perkins diesel engines, etc.
Above: Assorted cards by Orestes A. Cappellano and Cappellano S.A., c.1940s onwards.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
View ArticlesCurator 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.
Leave a Reply
Recommended
J. W. Spear and Sons
Jacob Wolfe Spear founded his company manufacturing fancy goods in 1879 near Nuremberg in Bavaria, Germany
RCI Playing Cards
RCI Playing Cards, a 20th century playing-card maker of Minneapolis, 1969-1985.
Egyptian Tarot
Egyptian Tarot published by Naipes La Banca, Buenos Aires, c.1980.
Naipes Criollos
“Naipes Criollos” Gaucho playing cards, 1995.
Naipes Cardón
Naipes Cardón designed by Mario Luis Rivero depicting traditional Argentine culture and identity, 2002.
El Oráculo de la Bruja
“El Oráculo de la Bruja” fortune-telling cards, 2003.
Martín Fierro
Naipes “Martín Fierro” based on the epic poem by José Hernandez.
Naipes Parliament por Caloi
Carlos Loiseau, better known as ‘Caloi’, was a cartoonist whose designs for Parliament Cigarettes were first published in the early 1970s.
Minifusor Tipo Español
Naipes "Minifusor" tipo Español published by Difusora S.A., c.1980.
Clark’s Industries
Clark’s Industries Spanish Cards, c.1975.
El Tripero
Hand-drawn semi-erotic, satirical playing cards by Lautaro Fiszman ‘El Tripero’, 2002.
Mordillo Skat
Mordillo Skat designed by Guillermo Mordillo, c.1979
58: Woolley & Co.
The firm of Thomas Woolley lasted for many years from 1836-1904 in several different guises.
Cartas Gitanas
The designs of these fortune-telling cards are largely taken from nineteenth century Austrian "Rural Scenes" Tarock cards.
Naipes Garaycochea
Humorous playing cards designed by Carlos Garaycochea, Buenos Aires, c.2002.
Desafio Football Caricatures
“Desafio” playing cards with football player caricatures, c.2000
Roche Playing Cards
Roche Pharmaceutical playing cards, 1980s.
Cartas Precolombinas
Spanish playing cards with Pre-Columbian designs from Argentina, 2001.
World Cup ’98
World Cup ’98 football team pack for Paradigma Consulting Group, 2000.
Mundialito de Radiolandia 2000
‘Mundialito’ toy football playing cards published inside the magazine ‘Radiolandia 2000’, Argentina, 1978.
Baraja Gaucha
“Baraja Gaucha” fantasy deck designed by Mateo Tikas Plechas for Argentina, 1998.
La Baraja
Anonymous “La Baraja” Spanish deck, c.2005.
Baraja Gaucha Juan C. Yelina
Baraja Gaucha by Juan C. Yelina for Profertil S.A., 2006.
Servicio de Hidrografía Naval
125th anniversary of the Argentine Naval Hydrographic Service, 2004.
Milonguita
Naipes de Poker “Milonguita” featuring early Tango music score covers, Gardés Editorial, 2003.
Gaucho Naipes
‘Gaucho’ Spanish-suited deck, anonymous manufacturer, made in Argentina, 2001.
Naipe Criollo Caraí Pujol
‘Naipe Criollo Caraí Pujol’ with Gaucho designs by Julio F. Parada Seifert capturing the spirit of Argentine country life, 2005.
Piñón Fijo
“Piñón Fijo” is an Argentine clown, whose real name is Fabián Gómez. He is well-known on Argentine children's television.
El Rodeo Talabartería
Promotional playing cards produced for ‘El Rodeo Talabartería’ specialising in leather goods and clothing, Buenos Aires, c.2006.
Naipes “La Estrella” for BOLS by Igor Domicelj, Bs Aires, c.1954
Naipes “La Estrella” Spanish-suited playing cards made for BOLS gin by Igor Domicelj, Buenos Aires, c.1954
Parker Brothers
Parker Brothers, Salem, Mass., USA.
48: Ferdinand Piatnik & Sons
Ferd. Piatnik produced a very large range of cards with many different standard and non-standard patterns. This is a survey of his standard English output.
Black Tango
‘Black Tango’ playing cards with photographs of dancing couples published by Gardés Editorial, 2003.
Barajitas Futbolísticas Golazo, 1973
Figuritas Golazo collectible football cards from Argentina, 1973.
Truco “Únicos”
Naipes Truco “Únicos” with caricatures of national celebrities designed by Gerardo N. Perez, 2006.
Gráfica S.A., Bs Aires
Gráfica S.A. of Buenos Aires has produced a number of brands using the Catalan pattern.
C.L. Wüst, 1811 - 1927
SPIELKARTENFABRIEK VON C.L. WÜST, 1811 - 1927. A short history of the Wüst factory by Martin Shaw & Paul Symons.
Naipes Españoles “El Mexicano”
Standard Catalan-type deck, titled "El Mexicano", by an anonymous Argentinean manufacturer, c.1980s.
Poker Nº 505
Heraclio Fournier ‘Poker Nº 505’ for export to Argentina with elaborate peacock joker, c.1960.
Tarjetas de la Felicidad
“Tarjetas de la Felicidad” containing positive mental affirmations by Lauro Trevisan, Buenos Aires (Argentina) c.2001