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Navarra, XVII Century

Published August 27, 2011 Updated October 21, 2024

Facsimile of 17th century Spanish-suited playing cards produced by Erregeak, Sormen S.A., Vitoria-Gasteiz (Alava), Spain, 1988.

Spain History Archaic Patterns Franco-Spanish Navarra Pattern

Facsimile playing cards reproduced from proof sheets taken from XVII century woodblocks preserved in the Fournier Playing Card Museum, Alava, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

Produced by Erregeak, 1988, in a limited edition of 400 copies. The Ace of Coins has a twin-headed imperial eagle and the arms of Navarre, although no actual manufacturer or location is named. Several archaic features found on early Spanish decks include the King of Coins wielding a battle axe and the cavalier of coins in three-quarters rear position. However, in some respects the figures are more stiff and less playful than, for example, Phelippe Ayet from a century earlier. The colour scheme has been taken from other packs of the same era.

Facsimile of 17th century Spanish-suited playing cards produced by Erregeak, Sormen S.A., Vitoria-Gasteiz (Alava), Spain, 1988. Facsimile of 17th century Spanish-suited playing cards produced by Erregeak, Sormen S.A., Vitoria-Gasteiz (Alava), Spain, 1988. Facsimile of 17th century Spanish-suited playing cards produced by Erregeak, Sormen S.A., Vitoria-Gasteiz (Alava), Spain, 1988.

Above: facsimile of 17th century Spanish-suited playing cards which would originally have been made in or for the region of Navarre in Northern Spain. Limited edition of 400 copies, produced by Erregeak, Sormen S.A., Vitoria-Gasteiz (Alava), Spain, 1988. The Sota of Cups has a lion insignia on the breast of his tunic which also appears on the Four of Coins. The Five of Coins features a single bust in the central coin, instead of two facing busts as seen in earlier examples which depicted the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.

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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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