Italia playing cards

How curious that these small, elongated cards called “Italia” appear to be a variant of a Swedish pattern pack! Three of the Jacks carry different weapons from those found in a Swedish pack but otherwise the designs are much the same. Perhaps the designer, Osvaldo Menegazzi, thought that Swedish cards would look exotic in the eyes of Italian card players! The court cards are double-ended and the Aces have special designs. The cards have square corners, no indices, and plain white backs. See the box►

Above: “Italia” playing cards designed by Osvaldo Menegazzi (Studio Tratto, Milan). Published by Edizioni del Solleone di Vito Arienti, Lissone, Italy, 1970. 40 cards + 2 dice in sliding box. Size: 20 x 70 mm. Plain backs.

Reference

Fournier Museum Catalogue, Vol. 1, Italy 228.