Archaic Spanish-suited pattern from Bayonne

An archaic Franco-Spanish pattern from Bayonne by an anonymous manufacturer with the initals M.V., possibly a member of the Varangot or Volay dynasties. The pack is preserved in the British Museum, whose the curator notes: On the ace of coins are the arms of Spain with "Hispaniæ Rex Carolus Dei Gratia", referring to Charles II who died in 1700, and the letters "M V", the initials of the maker ... The letters "M V" appear also on the knave and 4 of cups and the knave of clubs. The 2 of swords is printed with "fechas en Baionne". The 4 of coins has a double triangle with an armorial shield, and the central suit-mark of the 5 has the two royal heads.

Owing to heavy tariffs imposed by the Spanish king, substantial quantities of packs like this “Franco-Spanish pattern” produced by French manufacturers from the southwest region were being exported, often irregularly and without a licence or “Con licencia del Rey”, into Spain. Often the eagle’s head on the ace of coins looks more like an owl and the maker’s name is not explicitly given, only the initials. These would have been cheaper to buy than legally produced Spanish packs as tax was being avoided.

The Ace and 5 of coins tended to imitate Double Excellent Gold Coins of the Catholic Monarchs

Above: an archaic Franco-Spanish pattern by an anonymous manufacturer from Bayonne (France) with the initals M.V., 18th C. Hand-coloured woodcut, backs plain. © The Trustees of the British Museum

The deck produced by M.V. and other anonymous makers, as well as many of the packs attributed to Jehan Volay (which may have been used as a pseudonym) are designed in the Spanish style, complete with Spanish heraldry like the arms of León and Castile. This suggests a deliberate design choice targeting Spain, where playing cards were popular despite heavy taxation and strict import restrictions imposed by the Spanish Crown. This strategy would have allowed French cardmakers to circumvent Spanish import restrictions and taxes, supplying a market with high demand for such goods.

References

British Museum : number 1896,0501.840►

O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber (Spain 16), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 [digital version here]