Late flowering of the Lyon pattern
Faustino Solesio’s late version of the Lyon pattern from about 1870.
This could well be the last in the line of Lyon pattern packs. Produced by Faustino Solesio of Genoa in about 1870 with colouring applied by stencil, it has some familiar features: the King of Hearts holds a falcon, while the King of Clubs carries a slim sceptre over his shoulder. Other features are lacking: there are no orbs and only two of the queens hold flowers. Attached to the Queen of Spades is a ‘sprouting’ heart pierced by an arrow. There are scrolls or banners on the Jack of Diamonds, the Jack of Spades and the Jack of Clubs, the latter bearing the manufacturer’s name. On the breast of the Jack of Clubs are the arms of Genoa. Above the manufacturer’s name on the Ace of Hearts is the tax stamp (in use from 1863 to 1874). The wrapper has no text other than the maker’s name and “SOPRAFFINE 40.” One is left wondering what the market was for these cards • see the wrapper
Above: late version of the Lyon pattern made by Faustino Solesio, Genoa, Italy, c1870. 40 cards in paper wrapper. Size: 55 x 85 mm.
There is a similar though not identical version of this pack in the Cary Collection (ITA 5). That pack has 52 cards and appears to be more crude in execution. The description of the Queen of Spades differs from the one mentioned above. I wonder if it could be a 'missing link'. Sylvia Mann mentions a pack by Solesio from c1920 called "Tipo Liguria", apparently descended from a Lyon pattern original. I remember Stanley Gibbons selling those packs but unfortunately I don't own a copy in order to be able to make a comparison.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022
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.
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