Gruppo Perotti playing cards

Any customer receiving these cards as a Christmas present from Gruppo Perotti in 1979 must surely have been delighted. Japanese artist Tiger Tateishi (1941-1998) has set his courts in an imaginary, fantasy, space-age world using a fabulous range of colours. The four suits symbolise the sea (S), the earth (C), the city (D), and the universe (H). The Kings represent wisdom and eternity, the Queens sweetness and beauty, and the Jacks strength and robustness, with the head of each court card figure enclosed within a crystal ball or a glass sphere. A huge amount of thought has gone into the designs. Tiger Tateishi (real name Koichi Tateishi) was also a manga artist. He lived and worked in Milan from 1969 to 1982, creating another beautiful set of playing cards for La Dalmine S.p.A. in 1977. The photograph with a facsimile of the artist’s signature was included in the double box. It includes information about the artist in Italian on the reverse. Issued in an edition of 1,500 sets. See the information card►

Above: Gruppo Perotti playing cards designed by Tiger Tateishi and printed by Masenghini, Bergamo, Italy, 1979. 2 x 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card, plus a photograph of the artist in a double box with a flock finish. Size: 64 x 90 mm.