José Maria Durán
Spanish Catalan pattern by José Maria Durán, Barcelona, c.1870.
A brightly cloured edition of the Spanish Catalan pattern produced by José Maria Durán, Barcelona, c.1870. Lettering on the 4 of cups reads "De Una hoja por José Maria Duran. Barcelona" while a butterfly trademark can be seen on the four of coins.
In the 19th century, the Catalan-style playing card pattern (also known as the Barcelona pattern) experienced a rise in popularity and production, although the origins of the designs can be traced back to medieval times. During this era, printing presses and card manufacturers primarily in Catalonia but also in other regions produced these decks in inceasing quantities. It is now regarded as a standard pattern throughout Spain and beyond. Packs usually contain 40 or 48 cards.
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Above: Spanish Catalan pattern by José Maria Durán, Barcelona, c.1870. 48 cards, stencil-coloured lithograph, backs printed in black with a pattern of small suns and diagonal broken lines. © The Trustees of the British Museum • Museum number b1900,1231.1288.1-48►
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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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