“Abd-el-Kader” by Fossorier, Amar et Cie for Algeria
Spanish National pattern produced by Fossorier, Amar et Cie (Paris) for Algeria, around 1902.
A version of the old Spanish National pattern was produced by Fossorier, Amar & Cie of Paris for export to Algeria. These were known as “Abd-el-Kader” and usually distinguished by a preponderance of green and a repeating pattern on the backs. The publisher’s name can be seen on each of the four aces while the name of the engraver E. Hellé is on the 10 of coins at the bottom left corner. The jacks and cavaliers are standing on small areas of scenery, but the kings are not. The cavalier of cups has the legend “Ahíva”. The tax stamp can be seen on the two of swords.
Above: Spanish National pattern playing cards (“Abd-el-Kader”) produced by Fossorier, Amar & Cie of Paris for Algeria, 1902-10. 40 cards, colour lithography. Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France • Jeu de cartes au portrait espagnol, dit "Abd-el-Kader", destiné à l'Afrique du Nord►
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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