Joseph Bardou & Fils cigarette papers
Delightful pack advertising Joseph Bardou & Fils cigarette papers for the Philippines.
This outstanding Spanish-suited advertising pack was produced by Joseph Bardou & Fils (Perpignan) cigarette paper factory for Chofrè y Cia, Manila, Philippines, in c.1880. A smaller version with different legends and advertising slogans was published in Peru for Cigarrillos Roldan y Cia► The imagery in both sets reflects themes of Spanish colonisation.




Above: Spanish-suited advertising playing cards produced by Joseph Bardou & Fils (Perpignan) cigarette paper factory for Chofrè y Cia, Manila, Philippines, c.1880. 48 cards + wrapper. Colour lithography. Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France. /12148/btv1b10509384c►
The back design features intricate patterns and text frames over an orange-brown mesh advertising rice paper which read: “El papel higiénico a base de paja de arroz ha sido una creación especial para las Filipinas. Fuera el papel Chino y viva para siempre el papel higiénico de Joseph Bardou et Fils” (Rice straw-based paper has been specially created for the Philippines. Out with Chinese paper and long live paper by Joseph Bardou et Fils) and in the centre: “Agentes exclusivos para las Filipinas Labedan y Chofrè, 33, Escolta, Manila” (Exclusive agents for the Philippines Labedan & Chofrè, 33, Escolta, Manila). Joseph Bardou & Fils is the former name of JOB cigarette paper.
See the wrapper►
Joseph Bardou founded the JOB cigarette paper factory in Perpignan in 1839. The patent for JoB was M. Bardou’s initials with a diamond in between - See the logo►

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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