Naipes del Salitre
Playing cards recovered from the Northern Chile saltpetre workers. The cards are mostly from Spanish 'Cadiz' pattern decks, and several manufacturers can be identified.
Playing cards recovered from the saltpetre workers from Northern Chile, 1850-1940.
“En el norte de Chile hay dos historias que marcaron una época importante, la historia del salitre que data de 1850 hasta 1940, esto significó un asentamiento de miles de personas que vivían en situaciones precarias y su forma de pago mensual era con fichas, estas eran de vaquelitas, y solamente se transaban en la misma oficina salitrera. En el año 1900 fuerón abolidas por el gobierno chileno y el pago a los trabajadores era con moneda nacional, pues bien para entretenerse lo hacian através de los naipes los cuales yo los he estado coleccionando por varios años, estos tienen fecha de 1867 hacia adelante. La segunda importante sería la guerra del pacífico entre Chile y Bolivia.” - Chilean collector.
Above: assorted playing cards recovered from the rubbish bins in the old saltpetre works in Northern Chile. The workers endured hard living conditions and their main form of recreation was playing cards. The cards shown here are mostly from Spanish 'Cadiz' pattern decks, and several manufacturers can be identified. Inscriptions on the cards include: "M.L.R.", "Armanino", "Fabrica del Tigre", "Naipes Finos El Gallo", "Olea Cadiz", "Tipografía y Litografía de Olea, Comedias 10 y 12, Cadiz" and "Naipes Tipolitograficos de Rodolfo de Olea Cadiz". This indicates a preponderance of cards imported from Spain and Italy.
Right: cards from a pack manufactured by Goodall & Son, Ltd, London, commemorating the Centenary of Chilean Nitrate of Soda (Saltpetre) production, 1930.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
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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