Baralla Galega

Published September 11, 2013 Updated June 13, 2024

'Baralla Galega' designed by X. Cobas and published by Imprenta Comercial Imprent S.A., La Coruña (Spain) in 1983

1983 Galicia Spain Imprenta Comercial Imprent S.A. Cobas Ethnic & Indigenous Folklore Galicia

Baralla Galega

'Baralla Galega' was designed by X. Cobas and published by Imprenta Comercial Imprent S.A., La Coruña (Spain) in 1983. The design of the cards is based on the folk traditions, symbolic objects and regional dress of Galician people in northwest Spain. Galicia is an autonomous region in Spain and has its own official language. A revival of Galician language and culture has been taking place and tourism improves the region's economic outlook. The scallop shell, or concha de vieira in the Galician language, became associated with the pilgrimage to Santiago.

The suit symbols are Scallop Shells, Baskets, the Cross of St. James and Staves. The 'Jacks' are female; Cavaliers or Knights are horse's heads and the Kings are elder men seated on gilded chairs.   See also: Baraja Gallega →

'Baralla Galega' by X. Cobas, published by Imprenta Comercial de La Coruña (Spain) in 1983

Above: 'Baralla Galega' was designed by X. Cobas, whose signature appears on the Ace of Clubs, and published by Imprenta Comercial Imprent S.A., La Coruña (Spain) in 1983. The reverse has an advertisement for a dairy cooperative. 40 cards in box.

avatar
1,479 Articles

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

1993 Kazakh Tales

Kazakh Tales

Bold designs by K.K. Karpun and S. Nukenov inspired by Kazakh folk tales.

2025 Baraja de Juan Martín Zamorano

Baraja de Juan Martín Zamorano

Deck inspired by El Pendón de los Zamorano, a military pennant dating from 1501, published by Priego...

1980 Heráldica Castanyer No. 16

Heráldica Castanyer No. 16

Strange variant of international pattern cards for poker or bridge.

1920 Mexican ethnic playing cards

Mexican ethnic playing cards

Mexican ethnic groups depicted on playing cards by Fábrica de Naipes Cuauhtemoc.

1819 Seminole Wars deck

Seminole Wars deck

Seminole Wars deck by J. Y. Humphreys, Philadelphia, c.1819.

1855 Fantasy Spanish-suited deck

Fantasy Spanish-suited deck

Fantasy Spanish-suited deck by Bertschinger y Codina, Barcelona.

1850 Bertschinger y Codina - Cartes Françaises

Bertschinger y Codina - Cartes Françaises

French ‘Paris’ pattern made by Bertschinger y Codina, Barcelona, c.1850.

1868 Braulio Fournier

Braulio Fournier

Baraja Nº 1 produced by Braulio Fournier, Burgos, c.1868.

2005 Pirritx eta Porrotx

Pirritx eta Porrotx

Happy Families card game from the Spanish Basque Country.

1979 Naipe Vizcaino

Naipe Vizcaino

‘Naipe Vizcaino’ designed by Javier Urkiri and published by Industrias Gráficas Castuera and the Caj...

1979 Baraja Turística del País Vasco

Baraja Turística del País Vasco

Basque poker deck of 55 cards published by Fournier with scenic views of the Basque Country.

1979 Baraja Vasca

Baraja Vasca

Spanish Basque Country deck with original drawings by María Isabel Ibañez de Sendadiano.

1950 Czech Bohemian style playing cards

Czech Bohemian style playing cards

Czech Bohemian style playing cards with a charming aesthetic, reflecting the cultural and social lif...

2022 Baraja Cultura Española

Baraja Cultura Española

ASESCOIN pack for 2022 designed by M.A. Corella featuring famous Spaniards and notable buildings.

Laurenzo Propagine

Laurenzo Propagine

Spanish-suited cards made in Italy by Laurenzo Propagine.

2021 Jeu de 7 familles Les Dynasties d’Artisans Basques

Jeu de 7 familles Les Dynasties d’Artisans Basques

Long-standing Basque businesses represented in a traditional card game with illustrations by Odile A...