V. F. Solesio Tarot

Published November 30, 2017 • Updated June 14, 2023

V. F. Solesio Tarot, Genoa, mid-late 19th century.

North Italian Piedmont tarot deck published by Solesio of Genoa c.1860. The Solesio family was a dynasty of card-makers first recorded in the early 17th century, with branches in Italy and Spain. Factories were operated by successive descendents of the family but it is not clear who V.F. Solesio was, possibly Vittorio Filippo Solesio (1846-1893), Faustino's son, as the original inscription on the two of cups woodblock appears to have been altered, and V.F. Solesio overprinted onto blank space on the four aces. The Italian branch of the business survived into the 1980s, exporting extensively and developing cheaper production methods, putting many competitors out of business.

V. F. Solesio Tarot, mid-late 19th century

Above: the four aces and two of cups read “V.F. Solesio Genova” (Click to zoom). The backs are decorated with a pattern of blue dots►
See the watermark►

Above: the names of the court cards and trumps are in Italian in this example, although sets with French inscriptions are also known. Roman numerals are used on the trumps.

Above: Piedmont tarot from the mid-late 19th century printed in blue ink with stencilled colours.

A (probably) slightly earlier edition of this pack, without the overprinted name "V. F. Solesio", can be viewed at the British Museum website • Museum number 1896,0501.1 and also at the Bibliothèque nationale de France website • Jeu de tarot piemontais F. F. Solesio (Genova)►

CREDITS & REFERENCES

All images courtesy of Maria Alessandra Umiltà.

Bellezza, Maria: A Todos Alumbra, in “La Sota” Nº19, Asescoin, Madrid, 1998.

Mann, Sylvia: All Cards on the Table, Jonas Verlag/Deutsches Spielkarten-Museum, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, 1990

Thanks to Alberto Pérez González and Jean Darquenne for additional research.

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By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.