‘El Cid’ designed by E. Pastor, Valencia, Spain, c.1875
‘El Cid’ fantasy playing cards designed by E. Pastor, Valencia, Spain, c.1875
‘El Cid’ fantasy playing cards designed by E. Pastor and manufactured by Simeon Durá, Valencia, Spain, c.1875
Above: E. Pastor's magnificent fantasy Spanish suited playing cards, printed by Simeon Durá, Valencia, c.1875. The king of coins is based on a painting of Louis XIV of France by the Catalan artist Jacint Rigau i Ros.
This was about the same period when Naipes Heraclio Fournier were developing their own 'Castilian' playing cards and there may have been competition between the rival manufacturers to produce new designs for the market. These designs were subsequently revised and became Durá's standard house-style for 'El Cid' Spanish-suited cards for many decades. E. Pastor also designed Simeon Durá's highly acclaimed fantasy advertising pack for Chocolates 'El Barco'. In both cases the excellence of the artwork is outstanding.
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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