Playing Cards from Latin America

El Ciervo, c.1930
Sebastian Comas y Ricart - Hija de A. Comas “El Ciervo” Spanish Catalan pattern, c.1930.

Félix Solesio e Hijos
Félix Solesio e Hijos - Real Fábrica de Madrid - Spanish National pattern for Venezuela

Félix Solesio e Hijos
Félix Solesio e Hijos, Fábrica de Macharaviaya, Spanish National pattern for West Indies, 1801.

Fournier No. 55
Naipes Intransparentes de Una Hoja No.55 made by Hijos de Heraclio Fournier (Vitoria) for exportation to Argentina, c.1940.


Giuseppe Cattino
Playing cards manufactured in Italy by Giuseppe Cattino and Paolo Montanar for Spanish markets.


Instituto Nacional de Calidad 2006 awards
Spanish-suited playing cards made specially for the Instituto Nacional de Calidad 2006 awards.


J. M. Gandarillas, Buenos Aires, c.1815
Playing cards believed to have been designed in 1815 by the Chilean immigrant Manuel José Gandarillas in Buenos Aires and published the following year.



La Española Classic
‘La Española Classic’ is a traditional ‘La Española’ Spanish-suited pack and is produced in several sizes (standard, round, small and pocket).

Lagos del Sur Souvenir
Lagos del Sur Souvenir playing cards published by Gráfica S.A., Buenos Aires, c.1980.

Las Cartas de Tacuabe by Manos del Uruguay
Tacuabé was a Charrúa native from Uruguay, an indigenous tribe that became extinct following European conquest and colonisation.

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.

Mesmaekers Spanish Pack, c.1875
Mesmaekers Spanish Pack for export to Spanish colonies and South American countries, c.1875

Minifusor Clásico
Minifusor Clásico, a modern re-drawing of the Catalan pattern published by Difusora, c.1980.

Naipe Cantaclaro
A colourful version of the Spanish Catalan pattern from Colombia, with a crowing cockerel on the 4 of cups.
