República Española Souvenir
Printed by Hijos de Heraclio Fournier, Vitoria, for the French-speaking tourist market. 52 cards + joker in mock crocodile skin box.

República Española Souvenir, c.1935
Printed by Hijos de Heraclio Fournier, Vitoria, published by Patronato Nacional de Turismo for the French-speaking tourist market. 52 cards + joker in mock snakeskin box. The photographs are tinted in different colours for each suit. The four of clubs has the exportation tax stamp which was used from c.1932. This tax stamp and the reverse shows the mural crown and the legend "Républica Española" along with medieval buildings. At this time Spain had fallen behind in terms of progress and modernisation was an important objective. These cards present Spain as a land of rich cultural heritage full of magnificent ruins, cathedrals, castles and monuments. There are no allusions to bullfighting, flamenco or bikini-wearing women on beaches which became the popular image later on.


Cards printed by Hijos de Heraclio Fournier, Vitoria, for the French-speaking tourist market. 52 cards + joker in mock crocodile skin box. See more cards→
See also: Málaga Souvenir Playing Cards Vic Joc de Cartes.

By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
View ArticlesCurator and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996.