Vicente Gombau y Labad
Elegant fantasy designs by Vicente Gombau y Labad (Madrid), 1861.
These elegant non-standard Spanish-suited playing cards were published by Vicente Gombau y Labad in Madrid. The four of swords has the date 1861 and the inscription ‘Vte Gombau y Labad’ around an elaborate device containing the coat-of-arms of the city of Madrid, a bear standing by a strawberry tree (madroño). The four cavaliers are reminiscent of medieval crusading knights. All the court cards have feintly engraved scenery in the background. See detail from four of cups • four of coins • the back►
Above: non-standard Spanish-suited playing cards published by Vicente Gombau y Labad (Madrid) in 1861. Stencil-coloured lithograph, 40 cards, corner index numbers, square corners. Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France • Vicente Gombau et Labad (Madrid)►
Above: the four suit symbols are interesting. The ace of coins mentions "Fabrica de Madrid". The ace of batons is held by a hand, and has a serpents coiled around. The ace of cups is an ornamental vase contining flowers, inside a basket - click image to zoom.
Vicente Gombau y Labad (1844-1881) was succeeded by Viuda e Hijos de Gombau (1882-1890).
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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