Xilografías de Mallorca

Spanish National pattern re-printed from original woodblocks which are preserved in the monastery at Valdemosa, Mallorca, c.1960. No inscription remains on the Ace of Coins block, but the name and date have been applied later. The attribution to 16th century on the Ace is incorrect; probably they are mid-18th century blocks, although the Casa Guasp printing press was first established in 1579.

Above: Spanish National pattern printed from woodblocks which are preserved in the monastery at Valdemosa, Mallorca, probably mid-18th century blocks re-printed c.1960. The woodblocks were already worn and damaged at the time of the re-print so some details are lost. 48 cards, uncoloured.

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.