Heraclio Fournier, 100 years later

In 2016, it was 100 years since the death of Heraclio Fournier, creator of the firm which gave its name to the well-known playing cards from Vitoria.

From the small printers that Heraclio Fournier (Burgos, 1849- Vichy, France 1916) opened in 1870 in Plaza Nueva, the name of Vitoria on card decks became known internationally, with designs that have survived to this day.

His innovative character pushed him to experiment with new printing processes that contributed to the quality and success of his playing cards. As demand and necessity grew, he set up his playing card factory in different parts of the city.

First establishment in Plaza Nueva

In 1870 Heraclio, from Burgos, settled in Vitoria after purchasing a small printers that was located in the premises that is currently occupied by the distributor "El Globo". Here, Heraclio set up a "lithograph and trade" business, dedicated to the sale of desk accessories. He also printed cards, labels, letterheads and all kinds of items using lithograph and printing.

Without giving up this premises, he took on other workshops in Calles Fueros and Florida, where he also began to produce playing cards. Several years later, we would go on to install the factory in Plaza Nueva, at least until 1882.

This factory's facilities included, as well as the machinery required for printing, a room for the cutting and packing of cards, a dryer and varnishing area. He lived on the second floor. At the back, he built a small roof for a steam boiler.

Factory in Calle San Prudencio

In 1882, Heraclio Fournier decided to set up a new factory in Calle San Prudencio due to a lack of space for machinery and so that he could meet the growing demand for his playing cards.

Next to the machine room, he built other annex buildings to house the varnishing area, the dryers and the selection, cutting and packing room. He also moved the offices, warehouses and his family home to the buildings currently located at numbers 15 and 17 of Calle San Prudencio. He opened a desk accessories and playing cards sales business in Calle Dato and, between this building and the San Prudencio factory, he installed the city's very first phone line.

Factory on Calle Manuel Iradier

In 1887 the home and factory of Heraclio Fournier was transferred to a new building that still currently stands on the corner of Calles Fueros and Manuel Iradier. It was organised into different sections: machinery, boilers, bleaching, varnishing, packing, etc.

The warehouses were also located in this place, which had direct access to the railway. Soon after, he closed the shop on Calle Dato, dedicating himself entirely to the production of playing cards.

When Heraclio Fournier died, management of the factory was passed down to his grandson Félix Alfaro Fournier, who began a collection of cards that would end up becoming the Fournier Museum of Playing Cards in Álava.

Factory in San Cristóbal

In 1948, the Fournier playing cards factory was set up in the district of San Cristóbal. The growth of its production required large facilities as, around this time, they had purchased other brands of national playing cards.

Here, the playing card collection that was initiated by Félix Alfaro opened its doors to the public for the very first time. In 1993, Naipes Heraclio Fournier moved to its current location in the Gojain industrial estate.