Chilean Playing Cards
Naipes Chilenos
Early Chilean playing cards were based upon Spanish models. The Chilean printer Gandarillas emigrated to Argentina and in 1815 produced cards there based upon the Spanish National pattern. It is not known whether he published more cards on his return to Chile in 1817. Likewise the Italo-Chilean printer Quercia y Possi also set up business in Buenos Aires in 1815, producing a pack based on newer Spanish designs of the day.
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During the late nineteenth century Belgian playing cards were exported to South America (including Chile) by Glénisson, Van Genechten, Brepols & Dierckx and others. More recently, local manufacturers and distributors such as Imprenta y Litografía Universo S.A (Sonia and Siluv), Hugo Castro and Taller Fotolitográfico have produced packs. These are usually based upon Fournier's 'Castilian' design, or upon a South American version of the Spanish Catalan pattern also found in Argentina and Uruguay. Several advertising packs have been seen, such as for Mamiña Mineral Water and Ibici stockings.
A playing-card tax band is shown below, but further details of the revenues and dates are currently unavailable.
Above: tax band from Chilean playing cards, from Peter Endebrock's
Taxes and Tax Stamps on Playing-cards