Miniature spanish-suited playing cards
Pack of 48 miniature spanish playing-cards published by C R.
A miniature pack of 48 playing-cards in the British Museum collection, measuring 22x40 mm. The court cards are fancifully treated and each of the fours has a vignette. On the ace of coins are the arms of Spain with the inscription “Dn. C. R. Md.” (the curator has commented “Possibly Don Clemente Roxas, Madrid”). The cards have no border-breaks (pintas) or indices and are housed in a morocco case.
Above: pack of 48 miniature spanish playing-cards published by C R., 19th century. Hand-coloured etching, 22x40 mm, backs printed in red with a diagonal pattern, in morocco case. © The Trustees of the British Museum • number 1896,0501.871►
Reference
O’Donoghue, Freeman M: Catalogue of the collection of playing cards bequeathed by Lady Charlotte Schreiber (Spanish 31), Trustees of the British Museum, London, 1901 [digital version here]
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.
Related Articles
Tarot de las Coscojas
Historical playing card design, tarot symbolism and an almost psychedelic medieval surrealism.
Tarot de Valverde de la Vera
A series of 24 surrealist engravings by Mexican artist Claudio Favier in which archetypal Tarot alle...
Love Tests
Vintage novelty “Love Test” cards of a slightly saucy nature but all in good fun!
Baraja de Juan Martín Zamorano
Deck inspired by El Pendón de los Zamorano, a military pennant dating from 1501, published by Priego...
Le Journal de Mickey
Perforated sheet of cards with Disney characters issued with the magazine Le Journal de Mickey.
Heráldica Castanyer No. 16
Strange variant of international pattern cards for poker or bridge.
Fantasy Spanish-suited deck
Fantasy Spanish-suited deck by Bertschinger y Codina, Barcelona.
Bertschinger y Codina - Cartes Françaises
French ‘Paris’ pattern made by Bertschinger y Codina, Barcelona, c.1850.
Braulio Fournier
Baraja Nº 1 produced by Braulio Fournier, Burgos, c.1868.
Pirritx eta Porrotx
Happy Families card game from the Spanish Basque Country.
Naipe Vizcaino
‘Naipe Vizcaino’ designed by Javier Urkiri and published by Industrias Gráficas Castuera and the Caj...
Baraja Turística del País Vasco
Basque poker deck of 55 cards published by Fournier with scenic views of the Basque Country.
Baraja Vasca
Spanish Basque Country deck with original drawings by María Isabel Ibañez de Sendadiano.
Baraja Cultura Española
ASESCOIN pack for 2022 designed by M.A. Corella featuring famous Spaniards and notable buildings.
Laurenzo Propagine
Spanish-suited cards made in Italy by Laurenzo Propagine.
Jeu de 7 familles Les Dynasties d’Artisans Basques
Long-standing Basque businesses represented in a traditional card game with illustrations by Odile A...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 28 days
