Anonymous
Anonymous Moroccan Playing Cards for Royal Air Maroc airlines and others...
Anonymous Moroccan Playing Cards
Many packs of playing cards are produced in Morocco anonymously. There are no inscriptions or manufacturer's details on any of the cards. Usually these are found on the Ace of Coins and the Fours of Coins and Cups, or the wrapper. As can be seen in the examples shown below, these packs are usually virtually identical, with only slight differences in the re-drawn images which faithfully conform to the old “Spanish National Pattern” as produced by Camoin of Marseille until 1971. The Kings' robes totally obscure their feet and the horses are bright blue. The motifs seen on the Ace of Coins and the Fours of Coins and Cups are modelled after the features on the same cards in the old Spanish decks.
Above: anonymous Spanish-suited playing cards for Royal Air Maroc airlines, 40 cards.
Above: anonymous Spanish-suited playing cards with Arabic inscriptions on several cards, 40 cards. Close inspection of the card designs, especially the faces, suggests this pack is by the same manufacturer as the above example for Royal Air Maroc. The back design has a repeating pattern of horse heads, moon crescents and dots.
Above: anonymous Spanish-suited playing cards with a palm tree motif on several cards, 40 cards.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact
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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