The World of Playing Cards Logo

Sicilia in Acquerello

Published November 02, 2022 Updated November 02, 2022

Souvenir playing cards from Sicily using watercolours rather than photographs.

2020 Italy Smeraldi Edizioni Stampa GMC Souvenir

It is always nice to come across a souvenir pack which uses something other than photographic images. In this instance, watercolours convey the message, albeit only 19 different ones, with a lot of random repetition. Each view is named beneath the image. The Joker features the three-legged emblem of Sicily (triskele). The cards have a glossy finish. The attractive tuck box shows an old map of the island with the principal sights marked on it. See the box

Sicilia in Acquerello playing cards by Smeraldi Edizioni, Palermo, Italy Sicilia in Acquerello playing cards by Smeraldi Edizioni, Palermo, Italy

Above: souvenir playing cards from Sicily printed by Stampa GMC, Settimo Milanese, for Smeraldi Edizioni, Palermo, Italy, c2020 (or earlier). 52 cards + 2 Jokers in tuck box. Size: 63 x 87 mm. Purchased in Palermo, September 2022.

avatar
552 Articles

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.

2 comments

Jenean Lindley's Avatar'

Hi Roddy, I recently purchased a deck of these playing cards while in Palermo. I regret not buying more, as I have more people that I'd like to gift a set. I'll be back in Sicily but not for another year. Do you know where I could purchase more decks to have shipped to the United States? Many thanks, Jenean


Leave a Reply

Default Avatar
Your Name
Just now

Create account to comment Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here.


Related Articles

Lyon pattern made in Italy by Pietro de Santi

Lyon pattern made in Italy by Pietro de Santi

The Lyon pattern was initially developed in France during the 16th century. As Lyon was a trading hu...

Laurenzo Propagine

Laurenzo Propagine

Spanish-suited cards made in Italy by Laurenzo Propagine.

2024 English Heritage

English Heritage

52 different colour photos of historic sites managed by English Heritage.

1988 Il Tarocco Mitologico

Il Tarocco Mitologico

Fully pictorial Tarot designed by Amerigo Folchi with figures mainly from Greek mythology.

1875 Neapolitan pattern by Luigi Pignalosa, Naples

Neapolitan pattern by Luigi Pignalosa, Naples

Two versions of the Neapolitan pattern from the British Museum by Luigi Pignalosa, Naples, 1875 & 18...

2006 Covered bridges playing cards

Covered bridges playing cards

Historical covered bridges with photography by Bill Miller, 2006.

1995 Dylan Dog

Dylan Dog

Characters and objects from the Italian comic book series Dylan Dog, written by Tiziano Sciavi and d...

Hispania Romana

Hispania Romana

Educational card game depicting the Roman period in Spanish history.

2006 Royal Britain

Royal Britain

Pack devised by Pietro Alligo depicting English monarchs from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II.

2013 Go Go Gorillas!

Go Go Gorillas!

Go Go Gorillas! charity playing cards sponsored by the Eastern Daily Press and the Norwich Evening N...

2024 Piatnik’s 200<sup>th</sup> Anniversary

Piatnik’s 200th Anniversary

A special philatelic souvenir for Piatnik’s 200th anniversary, combining playing cards an...

Sissi playing cards

Sissi playing cards

produced for the Austrian tourist market.

Seashells playing cards

Seashells playing cards

Each card shows colour photo of a different seashell for easy identification.

Introduction to Collecting Themes

Introduction to Collecting Themes

Playing cards can be broadly categorised into standard and non-standard designs, with collectors app...

2021 Le Monde Primitif Tarot

Le Monde Primitif Tarot

Facsimile edition produced by Morena Poltronieri & Ernesto Fazioli of Museo Internazionale dei Taroc...

1996 I Tarocchi del Buongustaio

I Tarocchi del Buongustaio

A less-than-serious set of major arcana on a gourmet theme, with designs by Cosimo Musio.