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Fournier “El Fundador”

Published June 12, 2013 Updated April 21, 2023

The cards shown here were originally printed in 12-colour lithography and published by Heraclio Fournier in 1888.

1888 Spain Heraclio Fournier Viuda e Hijos de Heraclio Fournier

Inspired by the work of Bernhard Dondorf of Germany, Don Heraclio Fournier diligently developed his playing card printing technology and earned exhibition gold medals. Several early packs feature his portrait accompanied by a display of gold medals on the Ace of Coins. The cards shown here were originally printed in 12-colour lithography and published by Heraclio Fournier in 1888.

The firm was renamed Viuda e Hijos de Heraclio Fournier (1912-1931) and production continued under that name. The Five of Swords has the exportation tax stamp from that period. The Four of Coins shows a picture of the playing card factory. The deck was also re-printed in 1998 to celebrate the firm's 130th anniversary.

Image Credit:
Richard Giorgio

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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.

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