Vintage Canasta Card Set in Faux-Leather Book Case (Mexico, 1950s)

$100.00

A complete Canasta card set from the 1950s, produced by Clemente Jacques y Cía S.A. in Mexico City. Housed in a charming blue faux-leather slipcase, styled to resemble two miniature books with gilt lettering and clover motifs, the set contains two full decks of cards — all present, including jokers. The gilt-edged cards show gentle wear consistent with play, adding character without compromising completeness.

Usage (Then & Now)

Then: Used for the wildly popular Canasta craze of the 1940s–50s, when the game was considered the elegant pastime of choice for social evenings.
Now: A collectible conversation piece, still perfectly playable for vintage card nights, or simply displayed as a mid-century artifact of leisure and design.

Obscure Lore
Legend has it that Canasta was invented in Uruguay in the 1930s to make bridge players nervous. By the 1950s, it had taken over North America and Mexico, with sets like these symbolizing both sophistication and mild obsession.

Modern Appeal
Part functional game, part retro décor, this set blends mid-century charm, Mexican printing history, and timeless card play. Perfect for collectors of games, bibliophiles (the case looks like books), or anyone who appreciates the art of social gaming before smartphones.