Playing Cards designed by Apeles Mestres, c.1905
Playing Cards designed by Apeles Mestres, c.1905
 |
 |
 |
|
Apeles Mestres was a Catalan painter-illustrator who worked from the end of the XIX century into the early XX century. His designs for a pack of playing cards were originally produced by Dondorf of Frankfurt in around 1902. The version shown on this page, published by Costa y Valerio in around 1905, was printed in outlines only, and has been partly hand-coloured with watercolours. |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||
| |||
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.
Related Articles
Portuguese pattern by Real Fábrica
Later Portuguese pattern by Impressão Règia, Real Fábrica de Lisboa.
Kings and Queens of Brazil & Portugal
Historical playing cards by C. L. Wüst depicting monarchs of Brazil and Portugal.
Campari playing cards
Publicity pack for Campari, designed for the Portuguese or Brazilian market.
Non-standard pack by J.J. Nunes
Charming designs reminiscent of older, northern European models.
Playing cards by António
Caricatures by António Moreira Antunes of Portuguese politicians from the 1980s, with non-standard s...
Banco Borges & Irmão
Commemorating the centenary of a Portuguese bank, depicting historical figures.
Kings and Queens of Portugal
Cameo portraits of Portuguese royalty from 1128 to 1910.
Benfiquista!
Licensed and sponsored product for the Benfica Football Club, Lisbon, Portugal, 2006.
English pattern from Portugal
English pattern by Litografia Maia, Porto, Portugal, c.1960.
Algarve playing cards
Kings and Queens of Portugal between 1185 - 1279. by V. de J.J. Nunes , Lisbon, Portugal, 1977.
Trajes Regionais Portugueses
Portuguese regional costumes published by the French division of Banco Pinto & Sotto Mayor.
O Baralho dos Provérbios!
Portuguese proverbs in combination with special courts and suit-signs published by Apenas Livros, Li...
Middle Ages
Middle Ages by Germano & Cª, (Litografia Maia),
Casais Portugueses
Matching game by Majora, Lisbon, c.1970, featuring figures in national dress from Portuguese provinc...
Non-standard deck by Maillard
Attractive deck by the Portuguese maker Maillard, c.1885 with scenic aces and German-style courts
Madeira Souvenir
“Ilha da Madeira” Souvenir playing cards with 54 colour views of the archipelago.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
