Storia del Fascismo

Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) looms large over this pack about the history of Fascism in Italy - from the cover to the four Kings. Different Fascist symbols are used for the four suits (the logo of the M Battalions, the fasces, the eagle, and the Roman sword and wreath), with larger versions on each of the four Aces. The Queens, Jacks and 7s to 2s carry further Fascist symbols and badges, and also black and white photographs of troops and important events, such as the March on Rome in 1922. The images on these cards are the same in each suit. There is much use of black, especially on the backs, black being the colour used by Italian Fascists as a symbol of their movement and also the colour of the uniforms of their paramilitaries, known as Blackshirts. The cards have square corners. Numbered, limited edition of 2,000 packs. See the back design►

Above: Storia del Fascismo playing cards published by Il Meneghello, Milan, Italy, 1989. 40 cards + numbered slip in fold-over card wrap (in the Italian colours) in open-sided ‘book cover’ sleeve tied with black ribbon. Size: 60 x 100 mm.

• See the wrap & book cover sleeve►