Miniature spanish-suited playing cards

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]