Naipes Comas - Naipe Español

8/09/2026

Naipes Comas - Naipe Español

INTRODUCTION

This marks the 50th post of Atlas de Naipes—a significant milestone for this modest site. To celebrate the occasion, I have set aside a particularly special pack. This is neither a deck boasting a multi-century lineage nor an elusive archival rarity that took years to track down. On the contrary, its brilliance lies precisely in its ubiquity. It's one of those iconic designs so deeply ingrained in the collective imagination that anyone with even a passing interest in Spanish playing cards will recognize it instantly—an absolute classic worthy of this landmark number.

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

This was unquestionably Naipes Comas’ flagship product during the mid-to-late 20th century. It was typically marketed under the plain title Naipe Español [Spanish Playing Cards], a designation printed on the tuck boxes, though absent from the cards themselves. It was assigned several reference numbers, curiously restricted to combinations of the digits 6 and 7 (such as No. 6, No. 67, or No. 77). That said, unnumbered copies devoid of any identifying marks beyond the illustrations also exist. The earliest documented example I have managed to trace appears in the book Testimoni Històric de Naipes Comas, which dates it to around 1965; the actual deck examined today bears the tax stamp corresponding to the 1964–1979 fiscal period.

ICONOGRAPHY & DESIGN

Ironically, little needs to be added regarding the artwork itself, save for the fact that this is a Spanish pack following the Castilian pattern, drawn directly from Fournier’s iconic No. 1. The parallels with the latter are especially conspicuous in the Swords and Cups pip cards; by contrast, the Batons and Coins exhibit a somewhat more original treatment, though still firmly tied to the templates of the Vitoria-based maker.

Much the same can be said for the court cards, which closely mirror Fournier’s aesthetic with slight tweaks to poses or minor adjustments to the garments. Particularly striking are the Knaves and Knights, displaying a peculiar stylization marked by androgynous or even distinctly feminine features. This artistic decision parallels the artwork of Mexican Faisán-style decks—another derivative of Fournier’s early Castilian pattern.

That said, I must emphasize that one could hardly mistake one deck for the other, except perhaps when examining a card in isolation or catching them in a quick, passing glance.

Given that millions of copies of this model were undoubtedly printed, I intend for this post to serve as a broad overview rather than a review of a single specific pack. For one thing, the artwork did not materialize overnight when the decision was made to launch a rival to Fournier’s deck. Early 20th-century Castilian-pattern packs produced by Naipes Comas show that the original designs were remarkably distinct from the Vitoria archetype, featuring more intricate linework.

In those early decades, multiple models overlapped, featuring varying treatments on the Aces and court cards. However, over time, these designs underwent a progressive simplification, increasingly converging toward Fournier’s aesthetic. The definitive form of the deck under review today is actually an amalgam of cards gathered from several of those older Castilian packs, subtly adjusted to ensure a cohesive set.

To illustrate the diversity of this model throughout its manufacturing run, two specific cards are particularly instructive, showcasing distinct variants of the final design.

The 4 of Coins is the most significant card in this regard, with at least two variants to be found. In early releases and many subsequent editions, the Marca del Ciervo [Stag Brand]—the maker’s emblem—took center stage, featuring a deer frolicking between two trees. Conversely, other printings present a far more austere composition in which this motif disappears, replaced by text referencing the medals and awards won by the firm at various exhibitions.

The 5 of Swords offers a chronological evolution tied directly to Spanish tax regulations. First is the classic layout, bearing the official tax stamp for the period. Following the tax's abolition and the stamp's disappearance, Comas produced a variant that filled that same space with a similar seal: a tiny version of the Marca del Ciervo, easily confused with the old state stamp at a glance. Finally, we find the most widespread version from later print runs: a clean 5 of Swords with that spot left blank.

REACH & INFLUENCE

This model was perhaps the primary commercial rival to Fournier’s No. 1 until the demise of Naipes Comas around 2010. Throughout its production run, it was issued in both 40- and 50-card formats with a vast array of card backs. Notable among these are the advertising backs, commissioned by such a vast range of companies that fully cataloging them remains a daunting task. At the end of this post, I've included a small selection of these—both standard and promotional—to illustrate the diversity that emerged from the firm’s workshops.

Furthermore, the sheer number of decks produced means that mint copies are still easily acquired today at very modest prices—often below the cost of current Fournier offerings—attesting to its immense commercial footprint.

The clearest testament to its legacy is found in today’s market. A vast number of Spanish-suited packs produced in China intended for discount stores and online retailers bypass Fournier's design entirely, using these exact illustrations or slight variants. Whether driven by intellectual property concerns or other factors, Comas’s linework endures years after the Barcelona firm closed its doors.