I Tarocchi del Cinema (di Sesar)
A set of Tarot trumps on the subject of the cinema, with designs by Sergio Sarri.
Choosing an appropriate film or film star to match each one of the 22 Tarot trumps must have been fun. No doubt there must have been more than one candidate for some of the cards. Italian artist Sesar (full name Sergio Sarri, born in Turin in 1938) has put his love of comics and his preferred technique of painting in acrylics to good use here: the images and colours are strong and vibrant and the subjects instantly recognisable. The titles are in Italian and the cards have square corners. The pack was issued to mark the centenary of the first screening of a film by the Lumière brothers in Paris in 1895. See the box & extra card►
Above: ‘I Tarocchi del Cinema’ published by Lo Scarabeo, Turin, Italy, 1995. 22 cards + 2 extra cards in decorated sleeve. Size: 68 x 145 mm. © Copyright Lo Scarabeo s.r.l.
I wonder who is depicted on the title card and backs of these cards - the artist (as a matinée idol)? A famous film star I haven't recognised? Any other ideas?
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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