Félix Solesio e Hijos
Félix Solesio e Hijos, Fábrica de Macharaviaya, Spanish National pattern for West Indies, 1801.
Since the late 18th century production of the Spanish National pattern was carried on under control of the Real Fábrica de Madrid monopoly, thereby prolonging its life as the orthodox design of the time. Another branch of the Royal Manufactory was set up in Macharaviaya (Málaga) to supply South and Central America, and the Madrid cardmaker Félix Solesio was put in charge. The inscription “Paralasyndias” can be read on the two of cups, showing that the pack was intended for Spain's West Indian colonies.
The ace of coins has the arms of Spain with two scrolls bearing the legend "Naipes Finisimos de la R. Fabrica de Macharaviaya por D. Felix Solesio". Other inscriptions on the cards include the 4 of coins which reads "Real Fabrica de Macharaviaya 1801" and the ace of cups reads "1801". From the mid-18th century the words Ahi Va, Ahivá or Aíva often appear at the bottom of the caballo of cups, as in this example. It means literally ‘there he [it] goes’ - colloquially a breezy exclamation of approval or encouragement.
The Macharaviaya factory was built there becuase it was the birthplace of José de Gálvez, Minister of Carlos III of Indias, and Solesio was the administrator.
References
O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 (Spanish 23)
Denning, Trevor: The Playing-Cards of Spain, Cygnus Arts, London, 1996
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
Founder 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.
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