José Gombau
Deck of half-sized Spanish-suited playing cards in the Maciá pattern produced by José Gombau, Zaragoza, c.1833.
José Gombau, c.1833
Half-sized deck of Spanish-suited playing cards in the Maciá pattern produced by José Gombau, c.1833. The cards are printed from woodblocks and coloured using a brush and stencils. Although the workmanship is slightly crude the result is charming. The standing figures adopt classical poses, gracefully placing their weight on one foot. The kings have the whole length of their legs in view and wear shoulder-capes over long robes.
Above: cards from a 48-card deck of half-sized [58 x 35 mms] Spanish-suited playing cards in the Maciá pattern produced by José Gombau, Zaragoza, c.1830. This design was first produced by Juan José Maciá of Barcelona in 1830 and subsequently used as a model by other cardmakers.
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
XV Century Spanish-suited playing cards
XV Century Spanish-suited playing cards with moorish influences
Bertschinger y Codina
Fantasy Spanish-suited playing cards by Bertschinger y Codina (Barcelona), c.1850.
Viuda de Gombau e Hijos
Spanish-suited pack in the Raimundo García pattern produced in Madrid by Viuda de Gombau e Hijos, 18...
Vicente Gombau y Labad
Elegant fantasy designs by Vicente Gombau y Labad (Madrid), 1861.
Clemente Roxas double-ended Spanish pack
Double-ended Spanish-suited playing cards published by Clemente de Roxas in Madrid, 1814.
J. Deluy c.1490s
Archaic Spanish-suited cards produced by J. Deluy c.1490s.
Cádiz Pattern playing cards
A popular Spanish playing card pattern widely exported to Spanish-influenced markets.
Philishave
Spanish-suited advertising deck for Philishave electric razors.
Naipes del Salitre
Playing cards recovered from the Northern Chile saltpetre workers. The cards are mostly from Spanish...
Maciá Pattern
The Maciá Pattern which was originally produced by a Barcelona cardmaker in the 1830s and subsequent...
S. Giráldez, Barcelona
Standard Spanish Catalan pattern playing cards by S. Giráldez, Barcelona, c.1905.
Baraja de Amor
Hijos de José Garcia Taboadela was a book-seller who also published this charming pack of lovers' fo...
Sanmartí, 1840
Sanmartí, 1840.
Gothic Spanish-suited cards
These cards may be a typical example of early 'standard' Spanish playing cards, maybe from before Co...
Francisco Flores
Playing cards in this style have been discovered in various parts of the world, suggesting that they...
Spanish Playing Cards ~ La Baraja Española
Spain has played a pivotal role in the history of playing cards in Europe and Latin America.
Significado de los Naipes Españoles
Cartomantic meanings of Spanish playing cards by Benita the Witch (XVI century), published by Chocol...
Juan Roura Catalan
Catalan type by Juan Roura, La Hispano-Americana, Barcelona (1872 - 1962).
Baraja Morisca — Early XV century playing cards
Primitive Latin suited pack, dated by paper analysis as early XV century, which makes this one of th...
Hand-made Spanish Suited Playing Cards
Decks are made on two-ply pasteboard which reproduces the tactile quality of antique cards.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
