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Published November 17, 2013 Updated July 10, 2022

Naipes Tango by Arco Iris

Naipes Tango by Producciónes Gráficas Arco Iris, 1999.

1999 Argentina Producciónes Gráficas Arco Iris Art & Design Gardel Tango Add to Collection

Naipes Tango by Producciónes Gráficas Arco Iris, 1999

The images in this pack celebrating the Argentinian dance of Tango - with music characterized by counterpoint - conjure up the early 1900s era. The 10s are ‘Taitas’ (local Argentinean men); the 11s are “El Cachafaz” (a famous Tango dancer with his partner Carmencita Calderón) and the 12s depict Carlos Gardel (the King of Tango). The non-standard suit symbols add more visual interest to the musical theme... a street light, a ‘bandoneón’ (type of accordion or concertina), the ‘facón’ knife and gourd-shaped mate drinking cup. The four Aces are set against a pale blue flower motif in the background and all cards have decorative scrolls and undulating vines in the borders, suggesting the movement of the dance.

See also: Naipes de Truco Editorial PerfilNaipes 'Tango'Argentine Gaucho playing cards→

Naipes Tango by Producciónes Gráficas Arco Iris, 1999

Above: 'Naipes Tango' Argentinian style playing cards by Producciónes Gráficas Arco Iris, Av. Diaz Velez 986, Villa Sarmiento, Buenos Aires, 1999. 48 cards + 2 Jokers in special box.

Naipes Tango by Producciónes Gráficas Arco Iris, 1999
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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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