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Casa Escasany

Published July 03, 1996 Updated June 12, 2023

Naipes Casa Escasany ~ Magnificent novelty playing cards published by Casa Escasany, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1930s.

Argentina Latin America Casa Escasany Cia Gral Fabril Financiera S.A. Advertising
Casa Escasany letterhead, c.1930

Casa Escasany was founded in Buenos Aires in 1892 as a jewellery and clock makers business by brothers Ramón and Miguel Escasany, who had arrived from Cardona (Spain). The firm became established with branches opening around Argentina. By means of illustrated catalogues, Casa Escasany became a household name associated with engagements, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and baptisms, for which they provided silverware, rings and other commemorative jewellery.

 

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La “Casa Escasany” estuvo presente en las familias argentinas durante todo el siglo, al punto que sus productos podían encontrarse tanto en las casas de las familias más humildes como en las de las más adineradas. Característica de esta Empresa fue la alta calidad de su material promocional. Uno de esos elementos ha sido los mazos de naipes españoles donde las figuras tenían elementos alegóricos a los productos que comercializaba Casa Escasany.

The novelty pack of playing cards shown here was given away to customers ~ items from the catalogue adorn each card. Two examples of the pack are shown which are both identical, except for the control numbers overprinted on the Four of Cups.

Naipes Casa Escasany ~ promotional playing cards from Argentina, 1930s

The pack has 40 cards, in a Spanish-suited format. As would be expected from a silversmith, the design details are excellent. The top and bottom of the border on each card is made from tiny lettering which repeats the name “Casa Escasany”

The top and bottom of the border on each card is made from tiny lettering which repeats the name “Casa Escasany” Naipes Casa Escasany, promotional playing cards, Buenos Aires, 1930s Interior of store

Above: inside view of Casa Escasany store. Many of the items on display in the store can also be seen in the playing card designs.

During this period other large department stores operated in Buenos Aires and many of these stocked imported playing cards.  See also:   Fló HermanosBertrand DomecCasa Jacobo PeuserGath & Chaves LtdHarrodsJulio Laje

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By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

Founder 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.

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