Bertrand Domec, Buenos Aires 1904-1970
Bertrand Domec was an importer of playing cards into Argentina, 1904-1970.
Bertrand Domec, 1904-1970
Bertrand Domec was an importer of playing cards into Argentina. The business was first established in around 1904 as successors to Pedro Desparbez, with the first address as Buen Orden 263, which was renamed later to Bernardo de Irigoyen 263, Bs. As. following a government decision to commemorate patriotic heroes in street names.
Domec was the exclusive agent of The New York Consolidated Card Company, U.S.A. and imported brands such as “Squeezers”, “Bee-92” and “Congress” into Argentina Domec also imported cards from Spain, mainly by Sebastian Comas y Ricart.

Above: four cards and wrapper from a pack imported from Spain. The date 1904 is printed on the wrapper, as well as mention that B Domec was successor to Pedro Desparbez, importer.
Over the years the name of the company, the address and other details changed until sometime in the 1970s the company was superseded by Joker S.A. who are still in business today. The succession is roughly as follows:
Pedro Desparbez |
c.1900-03 |
|
![]() |
B. Domec (Sucesor de Pedro Desparbez) |
c.1904 |
![]() |
Bertrand Domec (Importador)► |
c.1904-1926 |
Casa Bertrand Domec (Importadora) |
1926-1930 |
|
![]() |
Casa Bertrand Domec de F. Fernández y J. Fagoaga (Sucesores)► |
1930-35 |
![]() ![]() |
Casa Bertrand Domec de Fagoaga y Fernández (Sucesores)► |
1935-50 |
![]() |
Casa Bertrand Domec de Fagoaga y Compañia (Sucesores)► |
1950-70 |

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.
Related Articles

Jockey Club de Buenos Aires
Spanish-suited pack by Chas Goodall & Son Ltd for the Jockey Club, Buenos Aires.

Egyptian Tarot
Egyptian Tarot inspired by ancient Egyptian art, mythology, and iconography, published by Naipes La ...

Naipes Criollos
“Naipes Criollos” Gaucho playing cards, 1995.

Naipes Cardón
Naipes Cardón designed by Mario Luis Rivero depicting traditional Argentine culture and identity, 20...

El Oráculo de la Bruja
“El Oráculo de la Bruja” fortune-telling cards, 2003.

Martín Fierro
Naipes “Martín Fierro” based on the epic poem by José Hernandez.

Naipes Parliament por Caloi
Carlos Loiseau, better known as ‘Caloi’, was a cartoonist whose designs for Parliament Cigarettes we...

Minifusor Tipo Español
Naipes "Minifusor" tipo Español published by Difusora S.A., c.1980.

Clark’s Industries
Clark’s Industries Spanish Cards, c.1975.

El Tripero
Hand-drawn semi-erotic, satirical playing cards by Lautaro Fiszman ‘El Tripero’, 2002.

Mordillo Skat
Mordillo Skat designed by Guillermo Mordillo, c.1979

Cartas Gitanas
The designs of these fortune-telling cards are largely taken from nineteenth century Austrian "Rural...

Naipes Garaycochea
Humorous playing cards designed by Carlos Garaycochea, Buenos Aires, c.2002.

Desafio Football Caricatures
“Desafio” playing cards with football player caricatures, c.2000

Roche Playing Cards
Roche Pharmaceutical playing cards, 1980s.

Cartas Precolombinas
Spanish playing cards with Pre-Columbian designs from Argentina, 2001.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days