Félix Solesio and Macharaviaya: the Genoese entrepreneur who made an empire’s playing cards

Félix Solesio was an influential Genoese entrepreneur who settled in Málaga in the 18th century and became a key figure in the playing card industry. As head of the Royal Playing Card Factory in Macharaviaya, he supplied the empire throughout the Americas and the Philippines, earning himself the nickname ‘the king of the deck’.

From Genoa to Málaga

Solesio arrived in Spain with experience in the paper business, an essential part of making playing cards. In Málaga at the time, he spotted an opportunity: there was water, a port and a minister, José de Gálvez, keen to bring industry to his home region.

Paper and playing cards

Making packs of cards takes plenty of good-quality paper. Solesio set up paper mills near Málaga, giving him control over the whole production chain, from paper to finished card. If you’re curious about that world, take a look at the history of paper.

A troubled ending

The business depended on the monopoly and trade with the Americas. When war with France, smuggling and the colonies’ independence came along, the business collapsed. Yet his name remains closely linked to Macharaviaya, and reproductions of those packs are available to collectors today. We pick up the story in Macharaviaya and the playing card industry.