Portuguese cards for Brazil
Portuguese-type cards made in or for Brazil, c.1890.
Portuguese pattern playing cards made in or for Brazil with maid, caballo and king (standing) as the court cards and dragons on the aces engaging with their suit-marks. The sixes and fours of coins and cups have on them the monogram M&C (possibly C&M). The batons and swords are straight and inter-crossed with shields at the centre, the two of batons has a man behind the crossed clubs. The coins carry a female bust. The pattern is believed to have been used in Brazil until around the end of the 19th century.
Above: later Portuguese-type cards made in or for Brazil with monogram M&C, 48 cards, backs printed with red diagonal parallel lines spaced to form a diamond pattern, c.1890. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Complete pack of 48 playing-cards with Spanish suit-marks►
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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