Does anybody have any idea who's the oldest still active playing cards manufacturer in the world? I've done a fair bit of multilingual (!) research but I haven't been able to find any place that's older than the Kyoto-based Oishi Tengudo (1800). Naipes Comas, if they were still active, would have them beat by 3 years, but alas, it seems they've closed up shop.
Here are the contenders I've been able to dig out:
Oishi Tengudo 1800-present
Sold mekurikaruta and hanafuda illegally until playing cards were finally legalized in the mid-Meiji period (late 1800's). Still run/owned by a branch of the same family that started it.
Naipes Comas 1797-1992 or 1797-2010
Acquired by Talleres Graficos Soler in 1992, according to WOPC. Acquired (in turn?) by Cartamundi in 2010, according to a Spanish-language press release from Cartamundi. Their website, http://www.naipescomas.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is not active since 2014-15. On Google Maps, they are listed as "permantently closed". By all measures, they don't seem to be actively making cards any longer.
Nihon Karuta 1806-2000's (?)
Founded in the 3rd year of Bunka (1806). Hanafuda and mekurikaruta maker. They don't appear to be actively making playing cards today.
Brepols 1826-1970
Brepols was founded in 1795 or 1706, but didn't start printing cards until 1826, and stopped in 1970 when they co-founded Carta Mundi. They are still active as a publisher.
http://www.wopc.co.uk/blogs/kenlodge/be ... rs-brepols" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Piatnik & Söhne 1824-present
Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards 1628-
Not a card maker in itself, but a trade guild. They're worth mentioning because they have occassionally (yearly?) published decks since at least the 1880's.
Does anybody know of any other (still active) companies that are even older?
Oldest still active playing card manufacturer?
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Re: Oldest still active playing card manufacturer?
I think Ohishi may indeed be the oldest card manufacturer still remaining.
Carta Mundi - Brepols - was my first thought, but, as you pointed out, they did not make playing cards until some 30 years after their founding.
Carta Mundi - Brepols - was my first thought, but, as you pointed out, they did not make playing cards until some 30 years after their founding.
