Don Quixote in a Pack of Cards

Since the 19th century, many packs of cards dedicated to Don Quixote have been published, featuring characters from the novel in place of the traditional court cards. Don Quixote often appears as the king, with Sancho Panza on another court card and scenes such as the windmill episode on the remaining cards. As they retain the suits and numbers, they’re perfectly suitable for playing games.

A character who fits right into a pack of cards

Don Quixote has knights, squires, ladies and horses. In other words, everything a Spanish pack of cards needs. Cervantes also knew the world of playing cards very well, as we explore in the card games that appear in Cervantes’s works.

What these packs usually look like

• The court cards — sota (jack), caballo (knight) and rey (king) — become characters from the novel.
• The numbered cards sometimes include small scenes or phrases from the book.
• The as de oros (ace of coins) bears the publisher’s mark, just as in any pack.

Packs for collectors

Many have been made for centenaries, exhibitions or as tourist souvenirs of La Mancha. They’re highly sought-after pieces, as we discuss in the largest collections of playing cards. If you like cards with personality, at Lascuarenta we have several packs to choose from.