I Trionfi d’Amore
Tarot trumps designed by Juan Ballesta and inspired by 1970s pop culture, promoting Baci chocolates.
Juan Ballesta (born 1935), the Spanish artist who designed these cards, worked in Perugia from 1965 to 1978 so it is not surprising that he created these designs for Baci, a company based in Perugia. The style is inspired by 1970s pop culture and is somewhat reminiscent of the animations in Monty Python’s Flying Circus. A single, strong background colour is used for each card. The titles are in Italian. This limited edition set was never sold separately but rather it was offered to customers buying Baci chocolates. See the box►
Above: I Trionfi d’Amore published for Baci chocolates by Baci Perugina, Perugia, Italy, 1978. Maker unknown. 22 cards + 24-page booklet in Italian, in a side-opening container with a pull-out two-part sleeve (one for the cards and one for the booklet). Size: 80 x 106 mm.
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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