Naipes Porteño by C. Della Penna S.A.C.I., Buenos Aires, c.1960
Naipes PORTEÑO Spanish-suited playing cards manufactured by C. Della Penna S.A.C.I., Buenos Aires, c.1955-60.

Naipes PORTEÑO by C. Della Penna S.A.C.I., Buenos Aires, c.1955-60
Naipes Porteño was one of Della Penna's leading brands of Spanish-suited playing cards, alongside Naipes Inca. It was produced in successive editions until the company was taken over in 1978. Over the years the logo on the four of cups changed. In this example, clouds have been added above the Palacio del Congreso logo on the four of cups. The cards are presented in a cardboard box, not just a paper wrapper as in earlier editions.


Above: cards and box from standard edition of Naipes Porteño by C. Della Penna S.A.C.I., dating from c.1955-60. The four of cups shows the "Marianne" tax stamp and the "Palacio del Congreso" logo with clouds added. In later editions this logo was replaced with a view of Buenos Aires port. The design of the court cards is a simplified version of the Spanish Catalan pattern which has become the typical design found in Argentina. The little bunches of grapes on the five of swords is only found on Della Penna's cards. However, the same ace of coins is used as in Naipes Inca.

By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
View ArticlesCurator and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996.