Bolzani e Spagnolo
Stylish monochrome designs by the Archinstudio of Guido Bolzani and Gian-Piero Spagnolo, printed by Masenghini, Bergamo, Italy, 1977.
Artist-designed packs can often be impossible to use but in this case Italian artists Guido Bolzani and Gian-Piero Spagnolo have created designs which are both pleasing and practical while at the same time being unashamedly modern. The red suits are coloured red and white, and the black suits black and white. All the (double-ended) court card figures look straight ahead. Panels of small suit-signs run down each side of every card. Mauve or turquoise patterned backs. Produced in a limited, numbered edition of 2,000 double packs with a leaflet signed by Guido Bolzani. See the leaflet►
Above: designs by the Archinstudio of Guido Bolzani and Gian-Piero Spagnolo, printed by Masenghini, Bergamo, Italy, 1977. 2 x 52 cards + 2 Jokers, plus leaflet, in double box (plastic bottom, cardboard top). Size 64 x 90 mm.
By Roddy Somerville
France • 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.
Activity for Bolzani e Spagnolo
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Poker Lusso
Richly costumed courts on a luxury poker pack from Masenghini.
Il Vostro Destino
Italian fortune-telling pack produced by Viassone and later by Masenghini.
San Paolo Shakespeare
San Paolo Shakespeare, Italy, 1978
San Paolo Chekhov
Characters from Chekhov’s plays designed by Paolo Fresu for San Paolo Istituto Bancario, Italy, c.19...
Gruppo Perotti playing cards
Stunningly beautiful designs by the Japanese artist Tiger Tateishi for Gruppo Perotti.
The Circus
“The Circus” playing cards with artwork by Max Dissar and Rita Rielle, published by Masenghini, Berg...
Cuccù
Cuccù or Cucco, an ancient Italian card game, published by Masenghini, 1979.
Sicilian Pattern
The Sicilian pack has a similar composition to the Neapolitan pack, and is small and squat in appear...
Florentine Pattern
Originally one of several designs which emerged during the nineteenth century, the Florentine patter...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
