Playing Cards by Compañia General de Fósforos
Playing Cards by Compañia General de Fósforos, Bs. As. (founded 1888).
Compañía General de Fósforos, S.A., Bs. As.
Founded in 1888, the group opened a printing establishment to produce match boxes. Soon after they expanded into the graphic arts business and by 1904 had established a paper mill. In 1893 a sister company was opened in Uruguay who also produced playing cards. In 1929 the firm's playing card production was taken over by Compañía General Fabril Financiera S.A. which continued its existence until 1995.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Above: 5 cards from an "Angelito" Spanish Catalán type pack manufactured in Buenos Aires by Compañia General de Fósforos, California 1270, Buenos Aires, c.1905. Based on designs of Sebastian Comas y Ricart of Barcelona (Spain) who had previously imported playing cards into Argentina. The black 'Mercury' tax stamp on the four of cups suggests a date around 1895-1905.
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.
Related Articles
Cartas Precolombinas
Spanish playing cards with Pre-Columbian designs from Argentina, 2001.
Naipes Gauchescos Argentinos
“Naipes Gauchescos Argentinos” with re-styled Spanish suit-symbols reflecting Argentinean culture, 2...
La Cumparsita Tango deck
Tango playing cards manufactured in Argentina, 2001.
G. Berger, Buenos Aires, c.1935-50
Berger also produced a Hungarian-type "Seasons" pack with the brand name "La Estrella" and a six-poi...
Anonymous manufacturers 1
Argentina has produced a series of anonymous decks, both Spanish-suited and Anglo-American type and ...
Anonymous manufacturers 2
Argentina has produced a series of anonymous decks, both Spanish-suited and Anglo-American type and ...
Standard playing cards manufactured by Joker S.A.
Standard playing cards manufactured by Joker S.A.
Alvarez Holmberg y Cia,
Alvarez Holmberg y Cia, playing card manufacturer, Buenos Aires, Argentina, c.1950-70
Argentinian Playing Cards - Naipes Argentinos
Playing cards were introduced to the Americas with Spanish explorers such as Columbus or Cortés.
Naipes La Banca
Naipes La Banca, Argentina c.1970-85.
Naipes Angelito
Naipes Angelito Spanish-suited playing cards, Cía Fabril Financiera, Buenos Aires.
Imported Argentinean Playing Cards
There has been a number of importing agents, as well as manufacturers from other countries, who have...
Impuestos Internos Sobre Naipes
Duty was first introduced on playing cards in Argentina in 1892, as part of the Internal Duties law,...
Cía General Fabril Financiera S.A.
Founded in 1889 as Compañía General de Fósforos, and favoured by certain economic factors, the firm ...
List of Argentinian Playing Card Manufacturers
List of Argentinian Playing Card Manufacturers from the 19th and 20th centuries.
La Primitiva, Victoria 3179, Buenos Aires
La Primitiva, Victoria 3179, Buenos Aires c.1878-1920, manufacturers of paper and playing cards.
Ricardo Sopena
Argentina importing agent Ricardo Sopena, Corrientes 920, Buenos Aires
Ernesto Flaiban - Quality Control
Sr. Ernesto Flaiban, founder and president of E. Flaiban S.A., is seen here checking the quality of ...
Nascal S.R.L., Buenos Aires, 1960-80
Nascal S.R.L., Paisandu 760, Buenos Aires c.1960-80, manufacturers of plastic playing cards.
Souvenir Playing Cards
Argentina publishes many tourist souvenir packs, usually with colour pictures on each card, and with...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
