Playing Cards: Spain


Spanish Deck 1

The deck pictured on the left was acquired in 1966 in Spain. Suit markings are similar to an Italian deck. Smilarity is assumed since it was also assumed that playing cards were introduced to Spain from Italy in the late 14th century.

Composed of 50 cards (9.5cm long x 6.1cm wide), this deck includes 2 manufacturer's cards (one of which is pictured on the upper right), 36 cards numbered from one through nine, and twelve face cards. The backs have a red and white geometric design as can be seen in the example in the lower right of the photograph. The deck did not have a box, but was rather the cards were wrapped in paper.

There are four suits:

Cards numbered one through nine have numbers printed in black in the upper left and lower right of each card. Numbers identify the number of suit indicators in the center of each card. Face cards also have numbers printed on them. 10 is a "PAGE" or "JACK" (third card second row), and 11 us a "KNIGHT" on horseback (third card fist row). A "KING" is numbered 12 (second card first row). There is no queen.

This deck was manufactured by Heraclio Fournier, Vitoria, Spain. The manufacurer's name appears on the 1 and 4 or the coin suit, 2 and 4 of club suit, 2 and 4 of the sword suit, and 4 of the cup suit.

Spanish Deck 2

The photograph at the right is a similar Spanish deck acquired by in 1975, but used for a different game, since there are only 40 cards in this second deck.

The golden box in the upper right (10cm long x 6.5cm wide x 1.3cm thick) has the words "Naipes Espagnoles" (Spanish Cards) printed on it. Card backs (lower right) have a blue and white plaid design. Numbered cards are from one through seven. There are 12 face cards - three per suit - "king", "knight", "knave". Suit markings are similar to the deck pictured above - swords, chalices, coins, and clubs. However, the designs of both the suit symbols and the face cards are somewhat different. Cards are 9.2cm long x 6.2cm wide.

The pattern for this deck is sometimes refered to as the "Cadiz" pattern. There are many card producing companies in Spain, and each company often has created its own designs. Thus, there are many different card decks in Spain.


NOTE: This page was originally created and posted on the Web on January 26, 1998. Subsequently it has been modified and periodically updated. Last update: June 14, 2010