Soberano
‘Naipes Soberano’ published by Productora de Naipes y Confetti, S.A., Mexico, c1990s
Naipes Soberano
published by Productora de Naipes y Confetti, S.A., Georgia 167, Colonia Napoles, Mexico 03810, D.F., c.1990
Based closely on Naipes ‘Gallo’ by Clemente Jacques, which have become almost a standard pattern in Mexican playing cards, and which in turn are inspired by Fournier's ‘Castilian’ pattern designed by Augusto Rius in the 1880s. Pronaco also produce packs with the brand names ‘Centenario’, ‘Emperador’ and ‘Imperial’, as well as tarot packs.
Above: ‘Naipes Soberano’ published by Productora de Naipes y Confetti, S.A., Mexico, c1990s. 40 cards, plastic coated. The publisher's name appears on the four Jacks (or ‘Sotas’) and on the Four and Ace of Coins. More recent editions of this pack appear to have been printed in China.
Naipes Emperador - update from Roddy Somerville
Compared with the Soberano pack, the Emperador has a completely different Ace of Coins, with the design of the coin (the bust of a young emperor with curly locks) being used right through the suit of Coins. Otherwise, the court cards and the way the other suits are drawn are identical to the Soberano pack. The Emperador cards which I have are not plastic coated, whereas the Soberano cards are (according to the Ace of Coins).
Above: Naipes Emperador by Pronaco S.A., Mexico. Image courtesy Roddy Somerville.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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