Alessandro Manzoni (1785-1873) was an Italian poet, novelist and philosopher. He contributed greatly to the stabilisation of the modern Italian language, thus aiding Italian unification. As a writer of the Romantic period, he was influenced by the works of Sir Walter Scott. Manzoni’s greatest work is ‘I Promessi Sposi’ (in English, ‘The Betrothed’), published in 1827. The principal characters from that work can be found on the double-ended court cards in this pack. The designs have been adapted from the original illustrations by Francesco Gonin (1808-1889), with some extra touches of colour. The pips are decorated with items of headgear worn by the different characters. All plastic cards. Numbered edition of 1,500 packs.

Above: Alessandro Manzoni Centenary playing cards made by Plastic Cards S.r.l., Milan, for Officine Calloni, Barlassina, Italy, 1973. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card (numbered) in plastic box with cardboard sleeve (also numbered). Size: 64 x 90 mm.

Giuseppe Verdi wrote his ‘Requiem’ to honour Manzoni’s memory. It had its first performance on the 22nd of May 1874, the first anniversary of Manzoni’s death. This year (2023) sees the sesquicentenary of Manzoni’s death.