Algeria
Spanish suited playing cards produced by B. P. Grimaud (Paris) for Algeria, around 1910.
Spanish suited playing cards produced by B. P. Grimaud (Paris) for Algeria, around 1910.
Algeria is a gateway between Africa and Europe. A version of the old Spanish National pattern was produced by Jacques Sellon of Marseille and Fossorier, Amar & Cie of Paris for North African countries (Algeria & Morocco). Cards were also made by Camoin (Marseille), Malka Frères (Casablanca) and other anonymous manufacturers for export to Algeria. These were usually distinguished by a preponderance of green and a repeating pattern of stars and crescents on the backs. The tax stamp can be seen on the two of swords.
‘Naypes Finos’ - 40 cards in wrapper
Above: Spanish suited playing cards produced by B. P. Grimaud (Paris) for Algeria, around 1910. The cards have square corners and small indices. Image courtesy Juan José Pérez-Castejón.
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.
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