Baraja del Camino de Santiago
Designs by Guitián, published by Ideas Peregrinas, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, c2018.
Pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela date back to the 9th century. The first pilgrim was King Alfonso II, the Chaste, King of Asturias, in 814 (King of Swords). Other famous pilgrims are depicted on the Kings and Knights/Queens including St Francis of Assisi (Knight of Batons) and St Bridget of Sweden (Queen of Scallop shells). These characters are not named on the cards themselves; however, more information can be found at: Ideas Peregrinas. Some of the Jacks are modern-day pilgrims. The non-standard suits are scallop shells (coins), gourds (cups), knives (swords) and staffs (batons). The designs by Guitián (from Galicia) are deliberately naïve and somewhat childlike, no doubt meant to resemble illustrations from medieval texts. See the box►
Above: Baraja del Camino de Santiago published by Ideas Peregrinas, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, c2018. Printed by Maestros Naiperos S.L. (now a division of France Cartes). 40 cards in tuck box. Size: 61 x 95 mm.
• See: Maestros Naiperos Españoles, S.L., una invitación al entretenimiento►
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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