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, 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”.