Baraja de Futbol Mundial-82
A 1982 World Cup commemoration pack by Heráldica Castanyer from Spain with non-standard suits.
There is no sign of any footballers in this pack; instead, the court cards depict referees, medics, and linesmen. The fun part is that the suits are non-standard – footballs instead of coins, trophies instead of cups, flags instead of swords, and football boots in place of batons. The Joker is a large whistle. The indices are in English. On the back is the layout of a football pitch with “MUNDIAL•82” and the Spanish national colours in the centre. On poor quality card stock and unevenly cut. See the box►



Above: Baraja de Futbol Mundial-82 (1982 World Cup) made by Heraldica Castanyer, Sabadell (Barcelona), Spain, 1981. 52 cards + 2 Jokers in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm. The back design is repeated on the back of the box.
One suspects that the manufacturers were trying to avoid paying any royalties for the use of the official logo, the mascot, etc.

By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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