Antoine de Logiriera
Archaic Spanish-suited playing cards published in Toulouse by Antoine de Logiriera (1495-1518).
In the fifteenth century Spanish-suited playing cards were utilized in France, primarily in the southern regions of the country with historical connections to Spain. These archaic playing cards were a combination of at least two different decks. One deck featured knaves, cavaliers, and kings (without queens), while the other deck included what appeared to be a female ace of coins. The four of coins displayed a monogram "AL" in an escutcheon, and the maker's full name appeared on the pages of swords and cups.
It's important to note that these cards were not intended for export to Spain. The coins suit depicted the coats of arms of French cities. For instance, the 3 of coins showcased the arms of Thiers at the top, the Parisian galley at the bottom, and the banner of the Spanish province of Aragon in the middle. The 5 of coins depicted the abbey of Saint-Sernin de Toulouse. Similarly, the four of cups featured the arms of Lyon. Additionally, the two of cups displayed a cow, which potentially linked it to the game of Aluette. The legends on the cards were written in a mixture of French ("Tel se rit qui mord," "Coeur de femme trompe le monde," "De tous te fie et te garde") and Occitan ("Qui mal bet[e] foot the juego"). Occitan is a Romance language primarily spoken in southern France, parts of Italy, Spain, and Andorra. It is also known as "Provençal" in certain areas.
Above: Spanish-suited playing cards from several different packs published in Toulouse by Antoine de Logiriera (1495-1518). Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France • Jeu de cartes à enseignes espagnoles - Antoine de Logiriera►
Trom 1234 to 1512, Navarra had various dynastic connections to the kingdom of France. The legend on the ace of coins, which depicted a medallion containing the arms of Navarre and fleurs de lys, topped by an eagle, the seal of the King of Navarre, referred to King Juan II, who reigned from 1425 to 1479. The subsequent years are unclear due to civil wars and conflicting accounts. the legend "Coeur de femme trompe le monde," and the initials 'C.L.'
In 1512 the kingdom of Navarre was invaded by Ferdinand the Catholic, and integrated into the Kingdom of Spain.
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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