Tradition with a touch of fantasy
A fanciful variation by López y Compañía within the Spanish-suited tradition.
These designs make relatively modest departures from familiar Spanish-suited conventions, including those seen in the Catalan pattern. The traditional forms of the swords and clubs remain unchanged, while the treatment of the cups and coins, together with details of some court cards, lends the pack a more individual character. Such variations give it a distinctive appearance while retaining the familiar visual language of cards intended for play. López did not print a pattern name or model number on the cards: “Sol” is the name recorded in Pedro Codolá’s much later sample book (see below), while the legend on the four of cups identifies the manufacturer as López y Compañía.
The ace of coins bears a portrait of Queen Isabella II, with flags and military-style objects arranged below it, adding a contemporary royal and martial note to the design.
A fanciful variation by López y Compañía of Barcelona within the Spanish-suited tradition. The 4 of cups bears López y Compañía's emblem, a winged female figure blowing a trumpet from which flutters a banner with the words "De una Hoja". Her left hand rests on a shield bearing the arms of León and Castile. Below the figure is "Por Lopez y compa Barcelona". © The Trustees of the British Museum number 1982,U.4560.1-48 ►
The cards appear to have blue relief-printed outlines with colour applied separately. López y Compañía was established to exploit Antonio López’s 1855 Royal Privilege for “un método para pintar naipes aplicado á la imprenta” (a method for colouring playing cards adapted to printing). The technique visible on this pack may reflect the experimentation associated with that invention, although its appearance alone cannot establish a direct connection with the privileged method. The cards do not bear the privilege inscription found on some other López designs.
“Sol” is a name recorded in Pedro Codolá’s sample book from early 20th century (shown below), after Fulladosa y Comp had been acquired as a brand, not a designation printed on López's cards. The legend on the four of cups identifies the maker, but does not give the pack a specific pattern name. Víctor Ferro’s “model no. 14” is likewise a catalogue reference rather than a number appearing on the deck.
Above: Pedro Codolá’s sample book showing the name 'SOL', from after Fulladosa y Comp had become a brand name (marca), early 20th century. Image from Ferro Torrelles, 2015.
The Arxiu Històric de la Ciutat de Barcelona’s discussion of López’s production is pertinent: it notes that the firm made both familiar patterns and more individual designs, while also observing how difficult it can be to establish which manufacturer first produced a pattern subsequently copied by others. As Ferro Torrelles observes, both López and Fulladosa left evidence of a distinctive production style, different from that of other card makers. This pack illustrates the point: its familiar Spanish-suited structure is retained, while the treatment of the cups, coins and certain court-card details gives López’s version an identifiable character.
References
Arxiu Històric de la Ciutat de Barcelona : Catàleg de la Col·leció de Naips (2018) ►
British Museum : López and Company (click ‘Related objects’)►
Ferro Torrelles, Víctor : López y Compañía, una vida de inventor, La Sota Número 44, Octubre 2015.
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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