Artistas del Cine
Advertising pack designed by J. Passos and first printed by Cromografía Irández, Barcelona, c.1926. Re-printed in 1995.
Spanish advertising playing cards often featured cinema personalities. An early example was drawn by J. Passos (whose monogram appears on the 12 of clubs) and printed by Cromografía Irández, Barcelona, c.1926. The cards feature movie stars from different eras framed inside or amongst the suit symbols. The pack was re-issued in 1995 as “Centenario del Cine” commemorating 100 years of Cinema to coincide with “El Papel y El Cine” exhibition in Elche, 1996.
The backs of the cards have a floral pattern with three panels. The central, diamond-shaped panels contain a concise “History of Hairstyles” with forty-eight styles, the latest dated 1926. The other two panels were used for advertising messages.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact
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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