TAROQUIS 'MARCA OBELISCO'

Above: 78-card 'Taroquis Marca Obelisco' published by Mario Colombo, Buenos Aires, 1950s, in the style known as "Tarocco Piemontese" which had been developed by Italian cardmakers during the nineteenth century. A similar Tarocco pack was also published by Cappellanos S.A.

This example has inscriptions is Spanish instead of Italian, and a pale green 'Impuestos Internos' tax stamp on the four of cups over the legend 'Tipo Español 78 cartas'. It is printed in black/red/yellow only on cheap-grade card. The reverse has a pattern of small black diamonds forming a trellis. Size: 64 mms x 107 mms.

Left: The Obelisk, as shown on the ace of coins (above), was built in 1936 in commemoration of the first founding of the city. It is located in Avenida Nueve de Julio in Buenos Aires.

© 2003 The World of Playing Cards