The Real Fábrica de Naipes was a factory that operated at the end of the 18th century in Macharaviaya (Málaga, Spain), between 1776 and 1815. It was José de Gálvez who, once appointed Minister of the Indies by Charles III and after his return from America in 1772, planned to set up a playing card factory in his native town. Its production was to be destined for the exclusive use of the American colonies. It was thought that the Royal Treasury would benefit greatly from the creation of the factory and Gálvez was very excited about the repercussions that this enterprise would have on his town. However, he did not take into account the lack of raw materials in the area, the lack of infrastructure or the few residents who lived in the village, most of whom were day labourers in the fields and, therefore, without any training to develop this economic activity. At that time, Macharaviaya was also one of the villages in Axarquia with the worst communications with the capital of the province, with scarce labour and little experience in manufacturing work. Without considering these disadvantages, and convinced of the economic benefits for his town, on 12 August 1776 a Royal Decree approved the establishment of the playing card factory. Felix Solecio, a native of Genoa, was appointed director of the factory. The State signed a ten-year contract with him, in which he undertook to use his own capital to pay for the cost of machinery, labour and the premises where the factory was to be established, in exchange for the Crown taking charge of all production. The Royal Decree stated the need to open paper mills in places where there was abundant wood, and this fact contributed decisively to the birth of the town of Arroyo de la Miel. About 60 families came to the village, the majority of whom were Italians, including draftsmen and craftsmen. However, some time later, poor distribution, lack of knowledge of the market and high prices, among other reasons, meant that the factory had to close. The Royal Order of 1815 abolished the tobacco stamp and liberalised the trade in playing cards. This fact and the loss of the American colonies led to the closure of the factory and its sale at public auction for 60,000 reales. The old building of the Real Fábrica de Naipes still stands today, and is occupied by private dwellings.

Collection: Images

Project: 11. Science and culture as representation in Europe.

Chronology: XVIII

Scope: Baccalaureate, University

Link: http://pares.mcu.es/ParesBusquedas20/catalogo/show/20538

Resource type: Image

Source: Archivo General de Indias. Mapas, planos, documentos iconográficos y documentos especiales. Ingenios y muestras.

Language: Spanish

Date: 1777

Owner: María del Mar Felices de la Fuente (Modernalia)

Identifier: ES.41091.AGI//MP-INGENIOS,212

Copyright: MECD. Archivos Estatales (España)

Abstract: Image+J599 of playing cards manufactured at the Real Fábrica de Macharaviaya (Málaga)

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