The Makers

Designed by unknown Spanish artist Pedro Maldonado, this deck of cards was printed by the Imprenta y Litografía N. González in Madrid. Active during the later decades of the nineteenth century, the González firm published a wide variety of printed material, including maps, portraits, posters and playing cards.

The Cards

Themed around the bullfight, the suits of the present deck have been adapted so that Coins appear as branding irons emblazoned with the marks of Spain's most prominent bullbreeders, Cups as famous picadors, Clubs as banderillas, the barbed weapon used by the matador, and Swords have the portraits of notable toreros as their hilts. The Aces of each suit also feature prominent bullfighters of the time, including Lagartijo, Frascuelo, El Gordito, and Currito, while the court cards depict historic toreros, such as Pedro Romero y Costillares.