The World of Playing Cards Logo

F. X. Schmid (Argentina) S.A.

Published April 05, 2002 Updated June 12, 2023

Spanish-suited playing cards by F. X. Schmid (Argentina) S.A.

Argentina Germany Schmid F.X. Payador Victoria Spanish Suited

Spanish-suited cards by F. X. Schmid (Argentina) S.A.

At some point between c1975-1985 the West German playing-card manufacturer F.X.Schmid opened offices in Buenos Aires under the name F.X. Schmid (Argentina) S.A. During this period they acquired the brands "Payador" and "Victoria" which formerly had been owned and produced by Cía Gral Fabril Financiera S.A.

The brand names were also briefly used by Joker S.A. When Schmid ceased business in Argentina in the early 1980s, the brand names also ceased to exist and have not been used since. Exactly what happened to them is still a mystery.

Naipes Payador 1400

Left: Naipes "Payador" manufactured by Cía Fabril Financiera S.A. for Schmid Argentina S.A., c.1975. The Catalan-style designs are based on those previously used by Cía General Fabril Financiera.

(Click the image to see more)

Naipes Victoria 3400

Left: Naipes "Victoria", manufactured by Cía General Fabril Financiera S.A. for Schmid Argentina S.A., c.1978. "Victoria" was another brand name used by Cía Gral Fabril Financiera, and also distributed for a short while by Joker S.A.

(Click the image to see more)

Naipes Victoria 4500

Left: Naipes "Victoria" manufactured in West Germany for F.X. Schmid (Argentina) S.A., early 1980s. The brand name "Victoria" and the gladiator motif are those formerly used by Cía Gral Fabril Financiera S.A. and Joker S.A. until around 1980, at which point they appear to have become the registered property of F.X. Schmid. However, Schmid soon closed their offices in Buenos Aires and discontinued these brands. The pack shown below is their successor.

(Click the image to see more)

No.407 Naipe Español

Left: No.407 "Naipe Español" made in West Germany by F.X. Schmid for export to Argentina, 1985. The Argentine flag is shown on the ace of coins. There is a cupid on the four of coins but no mention of a brand name other than No.407.

(Click the image to see more)

avatar
1,469 Articles

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.


Leave a Reply

Default Avatar
Your Name
Just now

Create account to comment Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here.


Related Articles

1983 Politiker-Skat by Bubec

Politiker-Skat by Bubec

Caricatures of famous world leaders by the German caricaturist known as Bubec.

1983 Le Poker Politique

Le Poker Politique

Caricatures of famous world leaders by the German caricaturist known as Bubec.

1996 Unimog UX 100

Unimog UX 100

Cartoons promoting the Unimog UX 100, a small truck produced by Mercedes-Benz.

1989 Juristenskat

Juristenskat

Caricatures of lawyers and judges by Philipp Heinisch for HEEL Verlag.

Battles in Mexico, 1847

Battles in Mexico, 1847

Uncut proof sheet with Mexican Battle scenes on the aces and portraits of American generals on the c...

1880 Double-ended German-suited pack by Josef Glanz, Vienna.

Double-ended German-suited pack by Josef Glanz, Vienna.

From the British Museum collection.

QAIPES – cartas españolas

QAIPES – cartas españolas

Spanish-suited cards made in China inscribed “QAIPES” and “BAIPES”!

1994 Medizin Skat

Medizin Skat

Promotional pack for a hospital group in the Saarland, with non-standard suits and courts designed b...

2006 Naipes Kukuxumusu

Naipes Kukuxumusu

A 52-card Spanish-suited advertising pack for a clothing company in Pamplona.

1984 Opernkarte I

Opernkarte I

Humorous designs by Peter Becker on the theme of the Opera.

1981 Haushaltgeräte

Haushaltgeräte

Publicity pack for VEB Kombinat Haushaltgeräte, makers of household goods, with designs by Volker Ha...

Animal Tarot by Johann Jobst Forster

Animal Tarot by Johann Jobst Forster

French-suited 78-card animal tarot deck of the Bavarian type.

Uncut Sheet by Johann Jobst Forster

Uncut Sheet by Johann Jobst Forster

A proof sheet containing twelve court cards of conventional French type.

1984 Mit Rhino auftrumpfen

Mit Rhino auftrumpfen

Black rhinos on a publicity pack for Armstrong, a flooring company, with comic designs by Pit Flick....

1997 Walt Disney Cards II

Walt Disney Cards II

Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and other familiar Disney characters.

1985 Hilti I

Hilti I

Promotional pack for Hilti power tools, with courts in medieval costume and non-standard pips.