Gaudí poker
Gaudí poker playing cards illustrated by Josep Opisso, Spain, c. 1992.
Published c.1992 by Naipes Comas, this pack celebrates Antoni Gaudí of Catalonia (1852-1926), considered the quintessential modernist architect of the 20th century. His masterpiece, the still-incomplete Sagrada Família, is the most-visited monument in Spain. Between 1984 and 2005, seven of his works were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Each of the suited cards has a finely detailed illustration – not a photograph – of an architectural, design or decorative element from one of Gaudí’s buildings by Barcelona artist Josep Opisso (b. 1935). Much of the Spade suit is devoted to the Sagrada Família. The jokers take the form of two information cards about the artist, while a third card offers illustrations of fifteen of Gaudí’s architectural wonders. The card reverse reproduces multiple copies of the artist’s signature. See the box►
Above: Gaudí poker playing cards illustrated by Josep Opisso, published by Naipes Comas, Spain, c. 1992.
By Peter Burnett
Member since July 27, 2022
I graduated in Russian and East European Studies from Birmingham University in 1969. It was as an undergraduate in Moscow in 1968 that I stumbled upon my first 3 packs of “unusual” playing cards which fired my curiosity and thence my life-long interest. I began researching and collecting cards in the early 1970s, since when I’ve acquired over 3,330 packs of non-standard cards, mainly from North America, UK and Western Europe, and of course from Russia and the former communist countries.
Following my retirement from the Bodleian Library in Dec. 2007 I took up a new role as Head of Library Development at the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) to support library development in low-income countries. This work necessitated regular training visits to many sub-Saharan African countries and also further afield, to Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh – all of which provided rich opportunities to further expand my playing card collection.
Since 2019 I’ve been working part-time in the Bodleian Library where I’ve been cataloguing the bequest of the late Donald Welsh, founder of the English Playing Card Society.
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.
Baraja Vasca
Spanish Basque Country deck with original drawings by María Isabel Ibañez de Sendadiano.
Baraja Cultura Española
ASESCOIN pack for 2022 designed by M.A. Corella featuring famous Spaniards and notable buildings.
Play Architecture
Twentieth century architects and their creations on a well-designed pack from Finland.
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).
La Baraja del Mundial
“La Baraja del Mundial” satirical football deck published by Fournier for ‘Interviú’ news magazine. ...
Historical Characters
Double-ended deck with historical characters and jacks as jesters by Daveluy, c.1850.
Archaic Spanish proof sheets
2 x uncoloured proof sheets of archaic Spanish-suited playing cards produced for “New Spain”, possib...
Hispania Romana
Educational card game depicting the Roman period in Spanish history.
QAIPES – cartas españolas
Spanish-suited cards made in China inscribed “QAIPES” and “BAIPES”!
Trending Articles
Popular articles from the past 28 days
