Cadiz-Catalan style pack
High-quality standard designs by Sebastián Comas y Ricart, Barcelona, Spain, 1896.
This pack oozes quality and became the prototype of the Cadiz-Catalan style pack which was customised for customers in South America, especially in Buenos Aires. The brand is “EL CIERVO” and the trade mark can be seen on the four of coins. Many of the cards carry extra text – “SUPERFINO” on 2 of Coins, “DEL No 7” on 7 of Coins, “NAIPES DE UNA HOJA. PRIMER FLORETE.” on 2 of Cups, “CORTE TABLA” on Ace of Swords, etc. – indicating the quality attributes of the product. The maker’s name appears on the 4 of Coins and the 4 of Cups and the date 1896 on the 4 of Cups and the 5 of Batons. The extensive range of colours used is stunning and gives the pack a remarkably modern look.
Above: Cadiz-Catalan style pack by Sebastián Comas y Ricart, Barcelona, Spain, 1896. 48 cards. Size: 62 x 94 mm. Square corners. Red and white checked backs.
Note: this pack is not shown in the book on the history of Comas (“Naipes Comas 1797-1992”). However, it appears to be the prototype for the Cadiz-Catalan style pack made for customers in Buenos Aires (Argentina) including La Primitiva and Bertrand Domec (see plate no. 32A in “Naipes Comas” where the same range of colours has been used and the same style of crown appears on the Ace of Coins). See also: Naipes “Cristal” No.9►
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Related Articles
Heráldica Castanyer No. 16
Strange variant of international pattern cards for poker or bridge.
QAIPES – cartas españolas
Spanish-suited cards made in China inscribed “QAIPES” and “BAIPES”!
B. Braun-Dexon®
Publicity pack promoting B. Braun-Dexon’s atraumatic needles, with non-standard courts and pips.
Tarot de Madrid
Black-and-white photographs of models whose faces are made up using elements found on the major arca...
Naipes de Personajes Granadinos
Forty famous men and women with links to Granada, on a pack designed by Rubén Garrido.
El Niño de las Pinturas
Forty-nine distinctive works by Spanish graffiti artist Raúl Ruiz.
Ases de la pintura / Masters of painting
Ases de la pintura / Masters of painting playing cards made by Naipes Comas, Spain, c.1990.
Multicard
A Spanish-suited pack with multiple uses including roulette and dice.
Mundiales 82 playing cards
Two packs (one French-suited, one Spanish-suited) for the World Cup held in Spain, 1982.
Sanmartí Catalan pattern
Standard Catalan designs of the late 19th century by Sucesores de Viuda Sanmartí e Hijo, Barcelona. ...
Alejo Gabarró Catalan pattern
Alejo Gabarró “El Cuervo” Catalan pattern playing cards, Igualada, Spain, c.1904.
Baralla amb Iconografia Medieval Valenciana
Issued to mark the opening of line 3 of the metro in Valencia, 1998.
Lanzarote Souvenir
Souvenir of Lanzarote playing cards by NEGSA (Naipes Comas).
El Ciervo N°4
“El Ciervo” No.4 manufactured by Hija de Antonio Comas during the Spanish Civil War, with mural crow...
Naipes Samsó N°2-S
Naipes Samsó published by N.E.G.S.A. (Barcelona) c.1965.
Capel Vinos
Advertising playing cards for Capel Vinos S.A., manufactured by Naipes Comas, 2001.
Sebastian Comas y Ricart, Barcelona
“El Ciervo” standard Catalan-type pack made in Barcelona by Sebastian Comas y Ricart, c.1905-10.
Naipes Comas
Naipes Comas 1797-1992.
El Ciervo, c.1930
Sebastian Comas y Ricart - Hija de A. Comas “El Ciervo” Spanish Catalan pattern, c.1930.
Paraguayan Playing Cards
Playing Cards in Paraguay
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
