J. F. Sanchez - Buenos Aires c.1895
J. F. Sanchez - Buenos Aires c.1895.
J. F. SANCHEZ - Buenos Aires
Record ID no.4 formerly in Yale University's Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library (but now removed) shows a 40-card Spanish suited pack made by J. F. Sanchez, Buenos Aires.
The cards closely follow designs by Sebastian Comas (Barcelona), imported into Argentina since the late 19th century by Fló Hermanos. However, closer inspection reveals that the pack is made up from two different packs. One is a traditional Spanish Catalan type pack (left), the other is a redrawn version of the Catalan pattern (right) based on El Escudo Armado design by Comas. The Spanish Catalan pattern was clearly well-established in Argentina by this time.
Comparing the design of the cup symbol in the left and right-hand examples, and the style of the court cards, shows that the cards are from different packs. The printing process is given as colour lithography but the cards appear to have been coloured using stencils. The back of the cards has been treated with a roller to create a random pattern.
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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