Playing Cards from Catalonia

Artistas del Cine
Advertising pack designed by J. Passos and first printed by Cromografía Irández, Barcelona, c.1926. Re-printed in 1995.

Baraja Cartomántica Chocolates Nelia
Some examples of playing cards made in Catalonia from the collection of Iris Mundus, Barcelona.

Cartes à Jouer Espagnoles
Cartes à Jouer Espagnoles Héron - Catalan pattern.

Catalan Playing Cards
With a distinct history stretching back to the early middle ages, many Catalans think of themselves as a separate nation from the rest of Spain.

Festa Major de Vilafranca 1988
Colourful figures associated with the annual festival held in Vilafranca, Catalonia.

Gaudí playing cards
Gaudí playing cards with photography by Ramon Manent, Spain, 2002.

Gaudí poker
Gaudí poker playing cards illustrated by Josep Opisso, Spain, c. 1992.

Gothic Spanish-suited cards
These cards may be a typical example of early 'standard' Spanish playing cards, maybe from before Columbus sailed for the 'New World' which were imitated by German engravers who wished to export their wares back to Spain.

Heráldica Castanyer
Spanish Catalan pattern No.6 by Heráldica Castanyer, Sabadell (Barcelona), c.1980.

José Maria Durán
Spanish Catalan pattern by José Maria Durán, Barcelona, c.1870.

Juan Roura, Barcelona (1872 - 1962)
Juan Roura produced a range of popular designs including Catalán, Castilian and Cádiz patterns for domestic use exportation.

La Baralla Espanyola de Regió 7
“La Baralla Espanyola de Regió 7”, created by Jaume Capdevila and Helena Rovira for Edicions Intercomarcals SA in 1996, depicts caricatures of Spanish politicians from that era.

Mas-Reynals Catalan Pattern
Mas-Reynals standard Catalan pattern comes in several slightly different versions.

Spanish National Pattern
Probably originating in Spain in the seventeenth century or even earlier, this pattern became strongly established by the Catalan cardmakers Rotxotxo of Barcelona.

Torras y Sanmartí
Torras y Sanmartí y Cía, Barcelona, 1830.

Vic Joc de Cartes
Vic Joc de Cartes, happy families quartet game, 1990.

XV Century Catalan playing cards
XV Century Catalan Playing Cards, featuring four female Sotas, four Aces and four cards from the suit of batons.

XV Century Spanish-suited playing cards
XV Century Spanish-suited playing cards with moorish influences