Maxtor Classics - Baraja Castellana

8/06/2026

Maxtor Classics - Baraja Castellana

INTRODUCTION

Some time ago, we reviewed Heraclio Fournier's No. 25 "Baraja Nacional". In that post, I voiced my desire for this model to be reissued with the necessary adjustments to cut down on its ties to the political iconography of its era. Today's deck fills that void to some extent, though I should warn you it isn't quite what I had in mind; rather, it feels like a wish granted by the infamous monkey's paw.

PROVENANCE & EDITORIAL LINE

Today we examine the Baraja Castellana [Castilian Playing Cards],designed and published between 2019 and 2020 by Maxtor (specifically under its Maxtor Classics line), a printing and publishing house based in Valladolid (Spain). This pack is part of a fairly extensive collection of original designs, primarily split between regionally themed decks dedicated to specific towns and cities, and those focused on major milestones or figures in Spanish history. Online retailers often attribute the artwork for this and other models to Fernando Marcos, though his name appears neither on the cards nor in the publisher's official documentation.

ICONOGRAPHY & DESIGN

This is a 40-card Spanish-suited deck in which its namesake Castilian theme is relegated to the coats of arms of Castile and León. These heraldic shields, shown both separately and in the official combined emblem of the autonomous community, are heavily distributed across the Coins, and more sparsely on the remaining suits and back design. Additionally, the Ace of Coins displays the text "Baraja Castellana".

From this point onward, two factors come into play that make this a remarkably idiosyncratic piece. On one hand, the pip cards from 2 to 7 feature compositions suspiciously close to Fournier's Baraja Nacional, originally drawn by Luis Alemany in the first half of the 20th century. The line work closely mirrors Alemany's in the Coins and Batons, while the Cups and Swords take a few artistic liberties—though the "inspiration" remains quite obvious. Elements such as the Eagle of Saint John have been removed in favor of a slightly more minimalist approach. It's worth noting that the Aces showcase a stronger distinct identity, departing from the reference model and integrating quite cohesively within the set.

The court cards represent the second and perhaps most striking aspect of this deck. The Knaves, Knights, and Kings across all suits completely sever any connection with the Nacional, yet strangely enough, they do not offer original artwork either, instead adopting a simplified take on the Catalan Pattern. This is a peculiar detail in a deck that, by mere geographical correlation, ought to have looked toward the Castilian Pattern, though this melting pot of styles does not diminish the overall aesthetic appeal.

From this description, one might gather that this is a chaotic mishmash of patterns and influences, and in a way, it is. Yet the design treads a fine line where somehow the stars align in its favor to converge into a cohesive, aesthetically appealing, and even "memorable" pack; at least for those who know the full context behind these compositions.

MATERIALS & FINISH

The cardstock and its smooth, semi-matte satin finish deliver decent but not exceptional quality; we could consider them equivalent to the Mas Reynals (Varitemas) releases already covered on the blog. Apparently, there were two separate printings of this deck: the first, presented in a clear plastic case with only a barcode and title sticker for identification, which is the one we are examining today; and a later Special Edition, featuring a slide box with custom artwork and text and an internal plastic tray, but is otherwise identical.

⬥ ⬥ ⬥