El Barco
El Barco playing cards designed by E. Pastor, Valencia, Spain, c.1895
Illuminated playing Cards for Chocolates “El Barco” designed by E. Pastor and manufactured by Simeon Durá, Valencia, Spain, c.1895
Above: E. Pastor's magnificently illustrated Spanish suited playing cards specially designed for Chocolates 'El Barco' and printed chromolithographically by Simeon Durá, Valencia, c.1895. This pack is regarded by many collectors as the unsurpassed masterpiece of Spanish playing card production. E. Pastor also designed Simeon Durá's fantasy Castilian pack, which was later re-drawn to become the company's standard pattern.
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.
Related Articles
Joseph Bardou & Fils cigarette papers
Delightful pack advertising Joseph Bardou & Fils cigarette papers for the Philippines.
Wine Labels & Chocolate Biscuits
‘Pinta en Copas’ playing card-themed wine labels sold at Día Supermarkets.
‘El Cid’ by Simeon Durá, Valencia, Spain
‘El Cid’ playing cards manufactured by Simeon Durá, Valencia, Spain.
Artistas del Cine
Advertising pack designed by J. Passos and first printed by Cromografía Irández, Barcelona, c.1926. ...
Philishave
Spanish-suited advertising deck for Philishave electric razors.
Deportistas Guipuzcoanos
Guipuzcoa’s best athletes of the twentieth century, playing cards sponsored by El Diario Vasco and E...
Capel Vinos
Advertising playing cards for Capel Vinos S.A., manufactured by Naipes Comas, 2001.
Baraja Gallega
Baraja Gallega designed by cartoonists and caricaturists Pinto Chinto (David Pintor & Carlos López) ...
Litografías Industrias Madriguera
Pictorial trade cards were becoming popular throughout Europe so that tea, tobacco, chocolate or eve...
Fabrica de Cigarrillos Roldan y Cia, Lima, Peru
The design of the figures is very agile with excellent colour harmony and execution.
Baraja Taurina by Simeon Durá, c.1916
Baraja Taurina manufactured by Simeon Durá (Valencia) for Chocolate Angelical, first published in 19...
Heraclio Fournier S.A.
Founded in 1868, today it is part of Cartamundi.
Zoo Comics
ZOO COMICS animated playing cards made by Litografía Ferri, Valencia (Spain), first published in 196...
Juan Roura No.32 Catalan pattern
Juan Roura No.32, with advertisement for Cervezas Damm, c.1932.
‘El Cid’ designed by E. Pastor, Valencia, Spain, c.1875
‘El Cid’ fantasy playing cards designed by E. Pastor, Valencia, Spain, c.1875
Simeon Durá 1871-1940
Simeon Durá of Valencia was one of Spain's most distinguished playing card manufacturers, flourishin...
Moliner - Burgos
Cards from a "Nº 4" pack manufactured by Antonio Moliner, Burgos.
Baraja Hoja de Afeitar
La Baraja 'Hoja de Afeitar'. Baraja de Hojas Maravilla descalificadas como de primerísima categoría....
Spanish Historical Characters playing cards, c.1896
Cards from the Spanish Historical Characters playing cards set printed by Litografía Madriguera (Bar...
South German Engraver
A pack of 52 cards with banner 10s, female 'Sotas', horsemen and kings, the pack was engraved in the...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
