Igor Domicelj, Buenos Aires, c.1945-55
Igor Domicelj commenced producing playing cards in c.1945. By the early 1950s the range had grown to include Naipes La Estrella, Barcelonesa, Chinita, La Española, Fantasio, Cartas Gitanas, Naipes Tipo Húngaro and a Jewish Quartet game.
Igor Domicelj commenced producing playing cards in Argentina in c.1945. By the early 1950s the range had grown to include Naipes La Estrella, Barcelonesa, Chinita, La Española, Fantasio, Cartas Gitanas, Naipes Tipo Húngaro and a Jewish Quartet game. The design and content of these last three items suggests that Igor Domicelj may have had an Eastern European background - possibly Slovenian or Czech.
In 1955 the company changed to Vigor S.R.L. who continued to produce the full range of cards. Further details about Domicelj's early history are obscure, but there may have been an association with G. Berger.
The Patent Office Registration documents dated 22 June 1955 show the designs registered by Vigor S.R.L. for Naipes Fantasio at the time of the take-over.
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Right: double set of Naipes "Fantasio" in bakelite box, manufactured by Igor L. M. Domicelj, c.1950.
Left: Naipes "Fantasio" made by Igor L. M. Domicelj, c.1950. The ace of hearts has a green 'Mercury' tax stamp. |
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Above: orange 1 Peso tax band from Naipes Fantasio manufactured by Igor L. M. Domicelj, c.1950. This was the tax for 'French-suited' cards. | ||
 
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Left & Right: Naipes Bols manufactured by Igor L. M. Domicelj, c.1954. This is the first advertising pack produced by Domicelj / Vigor.
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Above: brown 50 Centavos tax band from Naipes Bols manufactured by Igor L. M. Domicelj, c.1954. This was the tax for Spanish-suited cards.
Above: Naipes "Tipo Húngaro" made by Vigor S.R.L, c.1955-60. The seven of bells has a green 'Marianne' tax stamp and gives the name of the manufacturer as Vigor S.R.L. The box states that Igor L.M. Domicelj is the manufacturer suggesting that old stock was being used up.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
View ArticlesCurator and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996.
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