El Cid 9th centenary
Playing cards commemorating the IX centenary of the death of ‘El Cid’ designed by Vicente S. Algora.
El Cid Campeador
El Cid playing cards, commemorating the 9th centenary of the death of popular Spanish hero ‘El Cid Campeador’, were manufactured by Heraclio Fournier in 1999 for the Caja de Burgos. Playing cards have enjoyed great popularity in Spain for centuries, and the superb medieval artwork in this pack, by Vicente S. Algora, portrays historical persons on the court cards, with El Cid himself (Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar) dignified as the King of Coins. Alfonso VI is portrayed as the King of Cups, who rose to the throne after the death of his brother, Sancho II, who appears on the King of Swords. Pedro I of Aragon, a friend and ally of El Cid, appears on the King of Clubs. The four Cavaliers are nobles from the epic poem, and the ‘Sotas’ (Jacks or Infantry) are Christian and Muslim soldiers, with a minstrel on the Sota of Cups. The coin suit symbols also feature silhouette portraits of El Cid and his faithful wife Doña Jimena.
Above: ‘El Cid Campeador’ playing cards manufactured by Heraclio Fournier in 1999 as a complimentary pack for the Caja de Burgos. Designed by Vicente S. Algora. 40 cards + 3 jokers + 2 extra cards + explanatory booklet written by Jesús María Jabato in special tuckbox. The backs have advertising for Caja de Burgos.
REFERENCES
García Martín, Enrique: “ La Baraja Española Moderna” in La Sota nº31, Asescoin, Madrid, October 2004
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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