Baraja Marinera
‘Baraja Marinera’ designed by Francisco Javier San Juan, published by Asescoin (Madrid), 1995
Baraja Marinera, 1995
‘Baraja Marinera’ was designed by Francisco Javier San Juan in 1990 and published by Asescoin (Madrid) as their special (limited edition) member's pack in 1995. The project was a memorial to Don Luis Mayoral “Cholo” who was an expert sailor and a personal friend of the artist. The suit symbols are ship's wheels, lanterns, fish hooks and sailor's knots. The same court card images are used in each suit but with different colour schemes. The artist's signature can be seen on every card. An extra card explains that the fish hook suit also includes paleolithic and neolithic hooks as well as squid lures, whilst the Ace shows a whaling harpoon.
Above: ‘Baraja Marinera’ designed by Francisco Javier San Juan, published in a limited edition by Asescoin (Madrid), 1995. 40 cards + 2 Jokers + 3 extra cards in tuckbox.
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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