Playing Cards from Ecuador
There has been very little playing card manufacture in Ecuador. Cards are mostly supplied from Colombia, Argentina & Spain. Known brand names include: Willy Wilson, La Raspa and El Heraldo. Some locally-made tourist souvenir packs are also known including Naipe Ciudad de Quito and Galapagos Islands souvenir cards.
There has been very little playing card manufacture in Ecuador. Cards are mostly supplied from Colombia, Argentina & Spain. Known brand names include: Willy Wilson, La Raspa and “El Heraldo”. Some locally-made tourist souvenir packs are also known including Naipe Ciudad de Quito, Ecuador Turistico and Galapagos Islands souvenir cards. An advertising deck published by UniBanco features adverts for businesses which use their ‘CuotaFácil’ store card.
Above: “El Heraldo” playing cards made in Ecuador since the 1930s, inspired by the archaic Spanish National pattern, which is now rarely found (it also survives in North Africa). The ace of coins features the rampant lion with two hemispheres, and the legend "El Heraldo - Clase Extra", with a small flying eagle motif. 40 cards, rounded corners.
Above: detail from “El Heraldo” advert, 1930s
Above: Naipe Ciudad de Quito
Above: Naipe “Mi Ecuador Turístico”
Above: Galapagos Islands Playing Cards
‘CuotaFácil’ Playing Cards for UniBanco, published by Poligrafica C.A., Ecuador.
Above: CuotaFácil playing cards produced for UniBanco, published by Poligrafica C.A., Ecuador. Each card features an advertisement for a store or business which accepts UniBanco's ‘CuotaFácil’ store card. The box reads "have fun playing and shopping in the best stores in the country." 52 cards + 2 jokers in box.
Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant, Guayaquil, Ecuador, c.2005
Above: ‘Fantasio’ brand deck for Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant, Guayaquil, Ecuador, manufactured in Argentina by Naipes La Española, c.2005.
Worldwide BMS, Ecuador, c.2005
Above: ‘Fantasio’ brand deck for Worldwide Business & Marketing Solutions published by Poligrafica C.A. (Ecuador) and manufactured in Argentina by Naipes La Española, c.2005.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to Jose Espinoza for additional research related to “El Heraldo”.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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