Baraja de Amor

Baraja de Amor, Hijos de Taboadela, 1871

A deck for lovers, titled “Baraja de Amor para Entretenimiento y Recreo de las Tertulias” published by Hijos de José Garcia Taboadela, Calle de Granada No.38, Málaga (Spain), 1871

Hijos de José Garcia Taboadela were book-sellers who also published this charming pack of lovers' fortune telling cards in 1871. The subtitle of the deck, "para entretenimiento y recreo de las tertulias" means "for entertainment and recreation at social gatherings". The ace of coins, also shown on the box (left), is based on that of Fournier Hermanos (Burgos) who had recently commenced manufacturing playing cards. Each card features a Question and Answer relating to matters of the heart in the form of four-line poems, with a Spanish-suited playing card in the centre. 48 cards, size of each card = 68 x 47 mms.

Above: cards from "Baraja de Amor para Entretenimiento y Recreo de las Tertulias" published by Hijos de Taboadela, Calle de Granada No.38, Malaga (Spain), 1871

By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

View Articles

Curator 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.