San Marino Souvenir

It is well known that the economy of San Marino has always relied heavily on income from tourism. This includes the sale of coins and stamps. The court cards, Aces and Jokers in this pack feature postage stamps issued by San Marino between 1926 and 1974. There are three different stamps on each of the Kings, single stamps with paintings by Titian on the Queens, two different stamps with crossbowmen of Italian castles on the Jacks, single stamps with ancient weapons from the Cesta Museum in San Marino on the Aces, and the same single stamp from a series on Etruscan art on the Jokers. The pip cards have colour photographic views of San Marino (same in each suit). Double-ended back design with the arms of San Marino. The name of the manufacturer, La Fotometalgrafica Emiliana, later changed to Italcards. Under the name Italcards they issued souvenir packs for such places as Rome, Florence, and Venice.

Above: San Marino stamp designs combined with photographic views, by La Fotometalgrafica Emiliana, Italy, c.1975. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 2 extra cards. Poker size. All plastic.

Further References

Website about playing cards on Postage Stamps: Playing Cards on the Philately►

By Roddy Somerville

Member since May 31, 2022

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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.