Banco Borges & Irmão
Commemorating the centenary of a Portuguese bank, depicting historical figures.

Banco Borges & Irmão was founded in Porto in 1884. For its centenary this special pack was produced, portraying figures from Portuguese history. Each one is named but without their respective dates. The courts are double-ended, divided diagonally. Different historic sites are depicted on the Aces. The Ace of Diamonds appears to carry the designer’s name (MONCLA or MONGLA?). One of the two Jokers has a list of the bank’s branches in the Paris region. The bank itself was taken over in 1996. See the box►
Above: Banco Borges & Irmão centenary playing cards printed by Maitres Cartiers Boéchat Frères and published by Editions J.C. Dusserre, Paris, France, 1984. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm. The design on the box is the same front and back. Click the two information cards to zoom.
I regret I've been unable to decipher the name of the artist. Any ideas?
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022
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.
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