Mexican Pattern

There are basically three classical patterns from Spain: the "Catalan Pattern", the "Castilian Pattern" and the "Cádiz Pattern". Even though you occasionally see such expressions as "National Spanish Pattern" or "French Catalan Pattern" they are just subversions of the three main patterns.

The "Cádiz Pattern" is quite close to the "Catalan Pattern" and it is not always clear to which group certain decks should be catalogued. But nevertheless it deserves being a pattern of its own, because at one time it was clearly present in a certain region. Especially in Latin America of these three patterns regional preferences have developed and sometimes characteristics of their own have crystallised. But nevertheless such cards belong to one of those three major patterns.

To this rule there is an exception. In Mexico the Castilian Pattern was developed further. Initially designed by card maker Clemente Jacques, the characteristics of those cards now are commonly used throughout entire Mexico (as long as they do not use French suits in general and the Anglo-American pattern in particular). You can hardy find the other Spanish suited decks anymore. Other local card makers now print that pattern as well and even foreign manufacturers, which export to Mexico, sell such cards.

For me the mentioned facts weigh enough that these cards qualify as a pattern of their own. According the usual naming convention, where mostly the cards are named after the place (country or city) they are used in, I call these cards the "Mexican Pattern".

What are the characteristics of the Mexican Pattern and where do they differ from the classical Castilian Pattern? Most standing out is that all knaves (cards with index 10) are female. A feminine body with small waits and breasts, that you more can guess than you see, belong to the appearance. But even clearer are the soft feminine faces with red lips, the eyebrows are shaped in a perfect bow and above the bright eyes are long eyelashes.

Unlike the Catalan Pattern the knights all have moustaches. The hats have changed from berets or little caps to big sombreros. The kings are closest to the original, but they seem to be younger, mostly with dark beards. The clothes have more ornamentation and there in general you see more details than in the Castilian Pattern.

Castilian original for comparison: knave of coin and
knight of sword (by Heraclio Fournier, Spain)

The most characteristic difference from the Mexican to the Castilian Pattern is that all knaves are female.
These are original "Gallo" cards by "Clemente Jacques y Cia., S. A., Mexico".

Also very characteristic in the Mexican Pattern are the knights. (From the same deck as the
female knaves above!)

Variations of the Mexican Pattern. Two knaves of coin:
left card by "Pasatiempos Gallo S.A., Mexico" and
the card to the right is by "Productos Leo, S.A.", Mexico.

More variations to the Mexican Pattern, but this time closer to the Clemente Jacques original.
Card to the left by "Productora de Naipes y Confetti, S.A., Mexico";
centre by "Productos Leo, S.A., Mexico";
card to the right by "Pasatiempos Gallo, S.A., Mexico".