Baraja Mística
‘Baraja Mística’ satirical playing-cards featuring revelling clergy published by Litografía Fernández, Madrid.
This 40-card Spanish-suited pack features comical designs satirising the Spanish clergy. On the coins cards we see churchmen worshipping and gloating over gold coins and moneybags, and the suit of cups shows monks, nuns and church officials partying, enjoying plenty of alcohol, with a nun holding a guitar. The clubs and swords suits show further caricatures of religious people in unholy attitudes.
Above: ‘Baraja Mística’ satirical playing-cards published by Litografía Fernández, Feijóo 3, Madrid, c.1885-1890. Backs printed with a small blue pattern of mitres and birettas. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Baraja Mistica►
Along the bottom of the ace of cups is printed the legend “Lit Fernandez, Fiejóo 3 Madrid” and an extra ace of cups, possibly a title card, is printed “Baraja (misspelled Babaja) Mística. Precio. 2 Pesetas”. The wrapper is labelled “Baraja Mistica. Venta en todas las Librerias”.
Further References
O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber, Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 (Spanish 11) [digital version here]
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.
Related Articles
Braulio Fournier
Baraja Nº 1 produced by Braulio Fournier, Burgos, c.1868.
Pirritx eta Porrotx
Happy Families card game from the Spanish Basque Country.
Naipe Vizcaino
‘Naipe Vizcaino’ designed by Javier Urkiri and published by Industrias Gráficas Castuera and the Caj...
Cathedrals, Abbeys & Minsters playing cards
54 pictures of different famous cathedrals, abbeys and minsters in England and Wales.
Baraja Turística del País Vasco
Basque poker deck of 55 cards published by Fournier with scenic views of the Basque Country.
Christmas Carols
Christmas Carols playing cards illustrated by Stuart Dilks
Baraja Vasca
Spanish Basque Country deck with original drawings by María Isabel Ibañez de Sendadiano.
Pam is the Knave of Clubs
Playing cards as metaphors in 18th century art - from fate, chance and social hierarchy t...
Question and Answer Games
A card game called “Impertinent Questions and Pertinent Answers” was launched in the early 1920s by ...
Dr Sacheverell
Dr. Henry Sacheverell's impeachment in 1710 sparked widespread public unrest and political upheaval,...
Modern Jass (Fredy Sigg)
Caricatural updating of traditional Swiss Jass cards by the artist Fredy Sigg.
Baraja Cultura Española
ASESCOIN pack for 2022 designed by M.A. Corella featuring famous Spaniards and notable buildings.
SCOR playing cards
Bizarre and fantastical images by the artist Roland Topor for the SCOR reinsurance company.
Laurenzo Propagine
Spanish-suited cards made in Italy by Laurenzo Propagine.
Jeu de 7 familles Les Dynasties d’Artisans Basques
Long-standing Basque businesses represented in a traditional card game with illustrations by Odile A...
Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern
Archaic Franco-Spanish pattern by Guillaume & Jean Grossard (Bordeaux).
Trending Articles
Popular articles from the past 28 days
