Alessandro Manzoni Centenary

Published May 06, 2023 Updated May 06, 2023

Issued to mark the centenary of the death of Alessandro Manzoni, one of Italy’s greatest writers.

1973 Italy Plastic Cards Francesco Gonin Commemorative Literature

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.

Alessandro Manzoni Centenary playing cards made by Plastic Cards S.r.l., Milan, for Officine Calloni, Barlassina, Italy, 1973 Alessandro Manzoni Centenary playing cards made by Plastic Cards S.r.l., Milan, for Officine Calloni, Barlassina, Italy, 1973 Alessandro Manzoni Centenary playing cards made by Plastic Cards S.r.l., Milan, for Officine Calloni, Barlassina, Italy, 1973

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.

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By Roddy Somerville

Member since May 31, 2022

Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.

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