Playing Cards from Brazil
8: Standard English Cards in Latin America: Argentina, Brazil and Chile
A brief survey of the designs of English cards in South America.
Axe Deodorant
Clearly promoting good personal hygiene, each card shows a young, pouting female model posing seductively and appealing to the playboy.
Cartas Portuguezas
Portuguese pattern playing cards published in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, late 19th century.
Cartográfica Industrial, Curitiba, Brazil
Double advertising pack made by Cartográfica Industrial for Refrigeração Parana S.A. The extra card contains an insignia with the legend 'CARTAL'.
Elephante No.50
‘Elephante No.50’ Cadiz pattern produced in Brazil, probably by Azevedo & Cia, Recife, c.1920.
EPOC playing cards
Modern designs by Brazilian artist Maria Leonor Décourt inspired by standard English pattern courts.
Goodall’s Wüst house pattern playing cards
Goodall’s Wüst house pattern playing cards with scenic aces of Brazil.
Jeu Quatre Empereurs
Brazilian scenic aces with emperors of Brazil, Austria and France and other dignitaries on the court cards.
Kings and Queens of Brazil & Portugal
Historical playing cards by C. L. Wüst depicting monarchs of Brazil and Portugal.
Latin American Playing Cards
Playing cards had been introduced to the Americas with explorers such as Columbus or Cortés, whose fellow countrymen were keen gamblers. Cards were imported from Spain since the 16th century. Local production usually imitated Spanish cards.
Portuguese Type Playing Cards made in Belgium
Portuguese type pack with ‘dragon’ aces made in Belgium by Mesmaekers Frères, Turnhout, c.1875-1900.
Schincariol Beer, Nossagraf, Brazil
Schincariol Cerveja Pilsen brewery playing cards manufactured by Gráfica Nossa Senhora Aparecida Ltda (Nossagraf), Brazil
SOIMCA
SOIMCA - Sociedade Impressora Caxiense - is an important playing card manufacturer in Brazil. It was established by Nelson Soares in Caxias do Sul, in the south of Brazil, by 1955.
Tarjetas de la Felicidad
“Tarjetas de la Felicidad” containing positive mental affirmations by Lauro Trevisan, Buenos Aires (Argentina) c.2001