ASESCOIN (2011) - Baraja Porlier 1937

7/28/2026

ASESCOIN (2011) - Baraja Porlier 1937

Since 1989, ASESCOIN (Asociación Española de Coleccionismo e Investigación del Naipe) has issued an annual limited-edition deck. Rather than following a set thematic line, each one presents a unique proposal, shifting between original works by various artists and reprints of historical decks.

Today's entry focuses on the 2011 edition, the Baraja Porlier 1937. This is less a traditional reissue and more of a historical recovery—it is based on a deck of which only a single copy was ever made, created under extraordinary circumstances.

⬥ ⬥ ⬥

The original deck was made in 1937 by inmates at Porlier Prison in Madrid, though the artwork was created by a single individual: F. Fernández Sanz. It was intended as a farewell gift for prison official Fidel Sánchez Losada on the occasion of his transfer to another facility.

The card backs feature a scroll displaying the inmates' signatures, which also appears on the 2 of Cups. It’s worth noting that this particular card was redesigned by ASESCOIN’s editors to maintain visual cohesion with the rest of the pack. Both versions are included, leaving it up to individual preference whether to prioritize historical authenticity or stylistic consistency.

All of this context comes from the included title card, which is pictured at the end of the post alongside the rest of the deck. Since that card is written entirely in Spanish, I thought it was worth summarizing the details here.

⬥ ⬥ ⬥

Unfortunately, I was unable to uncover any thorough details about F. Fernández Sanz, who authored the original illustrations. Neither the title card nor the sparse available sources give him the credit he deserves, beyond citing his last name and initial. It strikes me as unfair, since looking at his work, it’s clear this man knew exactly what he was doing. Had I encountered this deck blindly and been told it was a special release from Fournier or Naipes Comas, I wouldn’t have doubted it for a second.

Simple yet refined, the illustrations maintain a strong stylistic consistency across the set. The suit of Coins is particularly striking, with each coin featuring a unique design—giving the impression of a handful of coins scattered across a table. A similar approach is taken with the Swords: far from the usual pip repetition, the deck presents a variety of weapons, including a longsword, a saber, and even a battle axe.

The courts are intricately drawn and maintain a strong thematic consistency across all suits, featuring female figures as the Knaves and soldiers or knights as the Knights. It is a top-tier iconographic work that, regardless of the author’s life circumstances, deserves to be rescued from obscurity and appreciated for its technical quality.

⬥ ⬥ ⬥

Regarding the print quality, slightly blurry outlines and soft color transitions offer little contrast. I’m not entirely convinced this is due to poor execution, as under magnification the offset halftone grid appears quite uniform and well-structured. Therefore, the perceived macroscopic appearance could be due to one of two reasons: it may simply reflect the look of the original deck (which is very plausible), or it could be the result of a poor scan or imprecise digital preparation.

Click to view Full Resolution

As for materials and finish, I must admit they are disappointing. Over the years, ASESCOIN’s decks have been produced by various manufacturers—such as Naipes Comas, Maestros Naiperos Españoles, and even Heraclio Fournier—where we typically find high, if not excellent, quality. However, this 2011 run produced by Alba Gráfica leaves a lot to be desired: it uses a thin, frail-looking cardstock that appears to lack any varnish or coating altogether, though it could be a very matte finish disguising its presence.

It is a pity, since the deck's true worth rests in its origins rather than its production quality. It’s worth noting that, in 2012, Maestros Naiperos Españoles published another reissue of this very same deck. Regrettably, that edition is missing from my collection, but should I acquire it at some point, we will take a close look at both side by side.