Archaic Spanish proof sheets

These 2 uncoloured proof sheets from the Bibliothèque nationale de France, attributed by Guibert [1934] to French master cardmakers Jean Dreveton (active 1668 à 1683) and François Dreveton (active 1696-1737), both registered at Aix-en-Provence, depict an archaic, early Spanish pattern with Spanish coats-of-arms and inscriptions on several cards. Closer examination suggests that they may have been produced clandestinely for Spanish depenencies in “New Spain”, such as Guatemala, Mexico or Peru, where the Spanish crown controlled and administered their monopolies via ‘Estancos’, the first of which was established in 1552.

The first sheet has the inscription “Por el Adm. Bartolome Baranano” on the sixes of coins, whilst the second one has "Soy del Estanco" on the five of swords. Thus Bartolome Barañano (c.1615-1684) may have been the administrator of the Estanco de Naipes in the first example, as the BnF mentions that he was the administrator of the card monopoly in Lima, Peru, in 1684, but without giving any source for this information. The second sheet may have been for a similar destination, or else counterfeit or pirate cards. It is not clear which is the case as these cards were possibly produced in France whilst exploitation of the Spanish monopoly was reserved for a specific person or institution in exchange for a tax to the State.

Another type of case related to the piracy of playing cards was the existence of clandestine gambling houses during the colonial period. These places would buy pirated decks to carry out their illicit business, which not only included card games but also dice, balls, and bar games [AGN, 2022].

Sheet 1 (left): this sheet includes 5 strips of the eight, two, six, five and three of coins. Inscription “Por el Adm. Bartolome Baranano” on the sixes of coins. Woodcut; 30 x 19,5 cm. 1660-1680.

Sheet 2 (right): inscription "Naypes Finas" and arms of Spain on the ace of coins. The date is on the ace of cups and two jacks, in the form “En el año 1708” or “De 1708”. Also mentions “Con licencia del Rey N° Senor” on the two of swords and "Soy del Estanco" on the five of swords, initials “B. N°” on the three of clubs. Woodcut; 30.2 x 19.6 cm. Publication date 1708.

References

Archivo General de la Nación, Mexico, February 08, 2022: La administración y dificultades del estanco de naipes de la Nueva España►

Bibliothèque nationale de France: Feuille de moulage de cartes à jouer éditées pour le Pérou►

Bibliothèque nationale de France: Feuille de moulage de cartes à jouer éditées pour l'Espagne ou pour le Pérou►

Guibert, J: Collection Georges Marteau, léguée en 1916. Cartes à jouer. Etat sommaire, Paris, 1934, items 55a & 55b. BnF: Collection Georges Marteau, 1934►