Later Portuguese Type - made in Belgium for export to Brazil

Above: 15 cards from later Portuguese type pack with 'dragon' aces, made in Belgium by Mesmaekers Frères, Turnhout, c.1875-1900, probably for export to Brazil; lithographed engraved outlines, stencil coloured. By this date, various Belgian and German exporters of the Portuguese type misrepresented the female 'Sota' (Maid) as a crowned queen: her true rank was below the horseman. Also the small dog has disappeared from the Maid of clubs.

© 2002 The World of Playing Cards.