Centenario Nascita Benito Mussolini

Published in 1983 in a limited edition of 1200 packs by Edizione Il Meneghello to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Benito Mussolini. Having assumed dictatorial power in 1922 he governed the country for twenty years, until the alliance with Hitler's Germany and the defeat in the Second World War. He was shot in April 1945.

The cards are wrapped in a striped red, white and green paper (the Italian national colours), and are contained by a decorated cardboard cover that is tied at the side with a ribbon in the same colours. See the box►

This French suited pack contains 40 cards (Ace through 7, Jacks, Queens, Kings), plus 3 insert cards, one of which announces the deck and two of which appear to quote Mussolini's words. There is also a card that confirms the number of this set within the limited edition. The Aces and Kings show Mussolini, and the remaining cards depict symbols of his life history. The faces of the cards in all 4 suits are the same. The backs are black with a Mussolini signature in white written across. The cards are square cornered and measure 10cm x 6cm.

Above: playing cards to commemorate the centenary of Benito Mussolini's birth by Edizione Il Meneghello, Italy, c.1983. 40 cards, limited edition of 1200 packs.