Sanmartí Catalan pattern

All the features of a standard Catalan pattern pack of the late 19th century are here. The court cards have strong facial features and look young and clean-shaven. There is a typical medallion portrait on the Ace of Coins. The maker’s name appears on the 4 of Cups. The colours still look fresh although some cards have suffered some staining. The borderless back design consists of straight and wavy diagonal lines in blue.

According to Victor Ferro (2004) the succession of the Sanmartí dynasty was approximately as follows: Agustín Sanmartí (1826-1846) • Viuda Sanmartí e Hijo (1847-1886) • Sucesores de Viuda Sanmartí e Hijo (1891-1897). During the interval between Viuda de Sanmartí e hijo and Sucesores de la Viuda manufacture was probably under Camps e hijos.

Above: Standard Catalan design made by Sucesores de Viuda Sanmartí e Hijo (the successors of the widow Sanmartí and Son), Barcelona, Spain, c1895. 46/48 cards (9 of Coins and 5 of Swords missing). Size: 56.5 x 94 mm.

Although the design probably originated with Joaquín Sarbat in 1830, it is interesting to compare with the Torras y Sanmarti pack of 1830. The basic design is much the same but the later pack has been “cleaned up” and looks much more sophisticated.

REFERENCES

Ferro Torrelles, Victor: Registro de Naiperías Españolas 1380-2004, Asescoin, Madrid.