Le carte di Tex
Characters from the famous Italian comic book series, Tex, created by Gian Luigi Bonelli and Aurelio Galleppini.
Tex Willer – the Texas Ranger – is the main fictional character of the Italian comic book series Tex, created by writer Gian Luigi Bonelli (1908-2001) and illustrator Aurelio Galleppini (1917-1994), first published in Italy in 1948. Tex is an Italian interpretation of a hero and tough guy of the American Old West who defends Native Americans and goes on to become the Chief of the Navajo tribe. He and other unnamed characters are featured on the courts, Aces and Jokers in this pack. One unusual feature is the symbol found on all the 2s – a five-pointed star within a circle, presumably representing the ranger’s badge, but more normally used on playing cards to indicate a Joker. See the box►
Above: ‘Le carte di Tex’ playing cards made by Modiano, Trieste, for Sergio Bonelli Editore, Milan, Italy, 2017. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 1 extra card in tuck box. Size: 63 x 88 mm. © Sergio Bonelli Editore S.p.A. 2017.
By Roddy Somerville
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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