Sebastian Comas y Ricart, Barcelona
“El Ciervo” standard Catalan-type pack made in Barcelona by Sebastian Comas y Ricart, c.1905-10.
“El Ciervo”, Sebastian Comas y Ricart, Barcelona, c.1910
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Above: 8 cards from “El Ciervo” standard Catalan-type pack made in Barcelona by Sebastian Comas y Ricart, c.1905-10. The ace of coins shows a decorated base or plinth supporting various trophies evoking maritime trade and prosperity: an anchor, a caduceus, a cornucopia, a barrel, a large medallion or shield displaying a crowned head, and flags, all topped by a crown. This design was exported extensively to South America and adopted by Cia Gral Fósforos/Cia Fabril Financiera as their house-style for “Angelito”, “Domador” and “Victoria” brands in the 1930s. It has been copied by many others since then. |

By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
View ArticlesCurator and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.