Laurenzo Propagine

This edition of the so-called Franco-Spanish pattern was made in Italy by Laurenzo Propagine. The maker’s name can be found on the sota (jack) of cups and the two of swords, while his initials ‘LP’ occur on other cards. “Alla guglia” appears on the sota of batons and the five of swords. “A ripetta di M. Matteo” can be seen on the ace of coins, which also contains the inscription “Filipus • Dei • Grat Hispaniar • Rex” surrounding what looks like the coat-of-arms of Felipe II

The phrases "A ripetta di M. Matteo" and "Alla guglia" likely serve as indicators of the card-maker’s shop location, an identifier of quality and origin, as was common practice at the time. The cards are preserved in the Bibliothèque nationale de France [here], where the catalogue notes that they were published for Malta. We cannot find any confirmation of this, but it is feasible that as Italy served as a key partner in the Spanish Crown’s Mediterranean defense strategy, linking Italy, Malta and Spain into a network of mutual support and influence, that playing cards like these were indeed being produced for Malta.

Above: Archaic Spanish-suited cards by Laurenzo Propagine, Italy, second half XVI century (?). Four uncut proof sheets. We cannot identify the tax stamps on the five and six of batons. Source Bibliothèque nationale de France.

Reference

Bibliothèque nationale de France: Jeu de cartes aux enseignes espagnoles édité pour Malte►