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Published March 06, 2018 Updated June 07, 2022

Bergamasche Pattern

Bergamasche Pattern by Modiano, 1970s.

Italy Modiano Patterns and Suit Types Add to Collection
details from Bergamasche pattern by Modiano, 1970s

The Bergamasche pattern is an Italian-suited pattern related to the earlier Bresciane and Trentine patterns. It is double-ended, used in the city of Bergamo. The Jack of Swords holds the hilt of a second sword hinting at its derivation from an earlier, full-length design. Several numeral cards have decorative vignettes, also derived from earlier cultural influences. The ace of cups has a cupid, and the ace of batons has the legend "VINCERAI". The ace of coins is reserved for the tax stamp (discontinued since 1972). See the Box

Bergamasche pattern by Modiano, 1970s Bergamasche pattern by Modiano, 1970s

Above: Bergamasche pattern by Modiano, 1970s. Many numeral cards have decorative vignettes which derive from earlier cultural influences.

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By Rex Pitts (1940-2021)

Member since January 30, 2009

Rex's main interest was in card games, because, he said, they were cheap and easy to get hold of in his early days of collecting. He is well known for his extensive knowledge of Pepys games and his book is on the bookshelves of many.

His other interest was non-standard playing cards. He also had collections of sheet music, music CDs, models of London buses, London Transport timetables and maps and other objects that intrigued him.

Rex had a chequered career at school. He was expelled twice, on one occasion for smoking! Despite this he trained as a radio engineer and worked for the BBC in the World Service.

Later he moved into sales and worked for a firm that made all kinds of packaging, a job he enjoyed until his retirement. He became an expert on boxes and would always investigate those that held his cards. He could always recognize a box made for Pepys, which were the same as those of Alf Cooke’s Universal Playing Card Company, who printed the card games. This interest changed into an ability to make and mend boxes, which he did with great dexterity. He loved this kind of handicraft work.

His dexterity of hand and eye soon led to his making card games of his own design. He spent hours and hours carefully cutting them out and colouring them by hand.


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