Alejo Gabarró Catalan pattern
Alejo Gabarró “El Cuervo” Catalan pattern playing cards, Igualada, Spain, c.1904.
Above: the Crow trademark seen on four of cups and wrapper.
There is enormous variety in so-called standard pattern designs from Spain, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This version of the standard Catalan pattern is characterised by a set of youthful courts: there are no moustaches or beards in evidence, merely a hint of some facial hair on some of the Jacks and Kings. There is a minimal amount of extra decoration, mainly on the 4s. The tax stamp of 10 centimos which was in use from 1904 to 1907 appears in the centre of the Ace of Coins. The maker’s name is shown on the Ace of Coins and the 4 of Cups. A stippled effect in grey-blue and black has been used on the backs which are borderless.
Above: Alejo Gabarró “El Cuervo” Catalan pattern made by Alejo Gabarró, Igualada, Spain, c1904-7. 48 cards. Size: 56 x 93 mm.
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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