Description
The Fourniers
Book Summary
This book offers an exhaustive journey through the history of the Fournier-Alfaro saga, the family that turned playing cards into an international icon linked to Vitoria. Through research based on unpublished sources, Paz Larrumbide reconstructs the evolution of a modest printing shop founded by Heraclio Fournier during the Sexenio Democrático, which became one of the city's most important factories. The work combines economic, social, and technical history to show how the playing card business transformed the city and left a lasting legacy.
What is it about?
The book chronicles the trajectory of the Fournier-Alfaro family from its origins to becoming a benchmark in playing card manufacturing. The author uses unpublished documentation to explore the business's evolution, from the initial printing shop to the large factory. As it progresses, the narrative is enriched with multiple perspectives: economic history, which analyzes the firm's growth; social history, which shows the family's impact on the community; the evolution of printing techniques, key to playing card production; and the political and urban changes in Vitoria, which serve as the backdrop for the various workshops and factories. Overall, it is an invitation to learn about one of the most prominent family stories in local Vitoria history, sustained for over a century amidst socio-political and economic upheavals.
Main themes
- History of the Fournier-Alfaro family and their legacy in playing card manufacturing.
- Evolution from a modest printing shop to an international factory in Vitoria.
- Economic and business history of the playing card sector in Spain.
- Development of printing techniques and their impact on production.
- Political, social, and urban transformations of Vitoria throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in business and family history, especially those passionate about the local history of Vitoria and Álava. It will also be of great interest to professionals in graphic design and illustration, as well as playing card collectors and fans of commercial art history. Furthermore, it is a recommended read for those seeking to understand how a local industry can reach international projection through innovation and family effort.
What this book contributes
- It offers a detailed and documented view of the Fournier saga, based on unpublished sources.
- It combines economic, social, and technical history to provide a complete analysis of the playing card business.
- It allows for an understanding of the historical context of Vitoria and its urban and industrial transformation.
- It highlights the relevance of playing cards as an international cultural and commercial icon.
- It provides a unique perspective on family history as a driver of local development.
Technical specifications
- Author: LARRUMBIDE, PAZ
- Publisher: SANS SOLEIL EDICIONES
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: ART AND INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION AND COMMERCIAL ART, BIOGRAPHY: BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL HISTORY, HISTORY: SPECIFIC EVENTS AND TOPICS, FAMILY HISTORY, GENEALOGY
- Collection: ALAVA MEDIEVAL
- Binding: Paperback
- Edition date: May 2025
- Number of pages: 408
- Weight: 1201 g
Editorial review
This book distinguishes itself through its investigative rigor and its ability to intertwine multiple disciplines around a fascinating family history. The work not only satisfies curiosity about the Fourniers but also offers a window into the industrial and social evolution of Vitoria. For the reader interested in local history, graphic design, or business genealogy, it is an enriching and well-documented read that provides significant value to the knowledge of a cultural icon like playing cards.