C. Della Penna & Cía, Bs Aires, c.1930-1978
C. Della Penna S.A. playing card manufacturer and publisher, Buenos Aires, c.1930-1978.
Having commenced sometime in the 1930s as C. Della Penna & Cia, at some stage the company became C. Della Penna S.A.C. e I. Playing card brand names included "Inca" (Anglo-American and Spanish versions), "Porteño", "Guarany", "Ombú" and "Congreso".
In 1978 the firm was taken over by Massuh S.A., a leading paper-maker, and it still exists today as C. Della Penna San Luis S.A. Under new management, and in response to economic conditions prevailing at that time, playing card production was discontinued. None of the original employees remain with the company, so further information is not currently available.
Above: five cards from an early "Naipes Inca" pack, 40 cards, manufactured by C. Della Penna & Cia in c.1935-40. The ace of coins is of Cádiz style, but the courts are Catalan style. Later examples of Naipes Inca (c.1950) have the same ace of coins and simplified court designs as the example shown below.
Above: five cards from a "Naipes Porteño" pack, 40 cards, manufactured by C. Della Penna S.A.C. e I. in c.1950-55. The catalan style designs have been simplified.
Above: back designs from "Naipes Congreso" (1966) and "Naipes Inca" with advertising for Laprida products (c.1970). Special Joker and back design from Naipes Inca advertising pack for Hoechst pharmaceutical products, c.1973.
Above: 10 pesos tax band which was affixed outside a box of "Naipes Congreso", c.1966.
Thanks to M. Cecilia Lizano for historical information.
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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