El Reloj card game by Imprenta Lecaros

Published July 03, 1996 Updated June 12, 2023

“El Reloj” card game by Imprenta Lecaros, Lima, Peru, c.1920.

1920 PeruEstancoImprenta LecarosCard Games

‘El Reloj’ (the clock) card game by Imprenta Lecaros, Lima, Peru

El Reloj card game printed by Imprenta Lecaros, Avenida Abancay 764, Lima, Peru, c.1920. The game is described as “a modern salon game”. The text on the back of the box states that the game was invented to commemorate man’s invention of the clock, and is dedicated by the game’s creator to all homes as an agreeable pastime. The instructions how to pay the game are missing, but the illustration gives an idea.

The front of the box and the back of the cards have a small registered trade mark featuring what looks like a monogram 'BL' - it is not known what this represents.

Back of the box from El Reloj card game manufactured by Imprenta Lecaros, Lima, Peru, c.1920
Box and card from El Reloj card game manufactured by Imprenta Lecaros, Lima, Peru, c.1920 Cards from El Reloj card game manufactured by Imprenta Lecaros, Lima, Peru, c.1920

Above: “El Reloj” card game printed by Imprenta Lecaros, Avenida Abancay 764, Lima, Peru, c.1920. 48 cards in box divided into four colours each running 1 - 12.

Estanco de Fósforos y Naipes tax stamp from the Caja de Depósitos y Consignas, c.1920

The One of Red suits and the box have the ‘Estanco de Fósforos y Naipes’ stamp from the Caja de Depósitos y Consignas (shown left), which would have preceded the Estanco de Naipes, which was established in 1924. Thus at this time card games as well as ordinary playing cards were subjected to some form of tax. No other examples of this tax stamp have been seen to date.

avatar
1,487 Articles

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.

Related Articles

1980 Amos del Universo

Amos del Universo

“Amos del Universo” card game published by Litografía Goicochea Hnos, S.A., Lima, Peru, c.1980.

Veto

Veto

‘Veto’ is a Polish CCG game. Players compete for power and influence. The game is set in 17th centur...

2008 Líneas de Nazca

Líneas de Nazca

“Líneas de Nazca” souvenir playing cards, Peru, c.2008.

Leopardo 777 made in Japan for Peru

Leopardo 777 made in Japan for Peru

Leopardo 777 playing cards manufactured in Japan for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru, 1960s.

Bosco by A.S.S. for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru

Bosco by A.S.S. for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru

‘Bosco’ Playing Cards manufactured by A.S.S. for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru, 1930s.

1938 Dartex

Dartex

Dartex, the Thrilling New Card Game of Skill (1938) based on the traditional pub game where darts ar...

Cromy card games

Cromy card games

Juegos de Cartas Cromy card games made in Argentina 1983-1995

1960 Cards for export to Peru by Heraclio Fournier

Cards for export to Peru by Heraclio Fournier

'El Caballo' brand (No.5P) playing-cards manufactured in Spain by Heraclio Fournier S.A. especially ...

Baraja Infantil made in Cuba

Baraja Infantil made in Cuba

cards from a 40-card children's "Questions and Answers" game. The Spanish suit signs have been chang...

Animals Quartet printed for Cigarrillos El Figaro, Peru

Animals Quartet printed for Cigarrillos El Figaro, Peru

Animals Quartet game printed for Cigarrillos El Figaro, Peru, early 1900s.

Estanco de Naipes del Perú

Estanco de Naipes del Perú

In October 1888 the Republic of Peru Congress passed Law no.26 establishing taxes on playing cards, ...

Naipe Peruano

Naipe Peruano

Peruvian costumes playing cards.

1982 Disney playing cards from Peru

Disney playing cards from Peru

Disney playing cards from Peru.

1965 Biermans for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru

Biermans for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru

Standard Genoese pattern with French indices made by Biermans for Cigarrillo Holiday and the Estanco...

1920 Playing Cards manufactured by The US Playing Card Co for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru

Playing Cards manufactured by The US Playing Card Co for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru

Playing cards manufactured by The US Playing Card Co for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru, 1920s - 195...

Toyo playing cards No.88 for Peru

Toyo playing cards No.88 for Peru

Toyo playing cards No.88 manufactured in China for the “Estanco de Naipes del Perú”, 1950s.

Piatnik & Sons for the“Estanco de Naipes del Perú”

Piatnik & Sons for the“Estanco de Naipes del Perú”

Playing Cards made by Piatnik & Sons for the“Estanco de Naipes del Perú”, c.1960.

Pavias Playing Cards made in Peru

Pavias Playing Cards made in Peru

Pavias playing cards made in Peru, c.1990.

Peruvian Playing Cards

Peruvian Playing Cards

Playing cards have been travelling from Spain to South American colonies ever since Christopher Colu...

Spanish-suited deck for the Estanco de Naipes del Perú

Spanish-suited deck for the Estanco de Naipes del Perú

Spanish-suited playing cards printed for the Estanco de Naipes del Perú.