Stamps from Italian States

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Playing-Card Tax Stamps from Italian States

Before unification, the individual states in Italy had their own tax stamps, if they raised taxes on playing-cards.

There is a separate page with stamps from the Papal States.

Kingdom of Italy under Napoleon

This stamp was in use in the 'Kingdom of Italy' under Napoleonic reign from 1807 to 1814.
The text is 'REGNO D'ITALIA', and the value is '25 CEN.' (25 centesimi). There was no difference between regular and Tarot packs, but there was a difference between cards for private use ('giuoco privato' 25c) and those for public use ('giuoco pubblico' 50c).
(scanned by Gianni Monzali)

Kingdom of Etruria

This stamp was in use in the Kingdom of Etruria which existed from May 1806 to December 1807.
The text is 'CARTE DI ETRURIA'. For a Minchiate pack the stamp was on the Trump XXX (Cancer), and for other packs it was on the Jack of Clubs.
(from a scan by Gianni Monzali)

Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom
(most explanations by Gianni Monzali)

This stamp was in use in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom from 1814 to 1816.
The text is 'GIUOCO PRIVATO' (for private use), in the middle 'F.I.' (for Franz I. of Austria), and the value is '25 CEN.' (25 centesimi). There was no difference between regular and Tarot packs, but for public or private use.
(scanned by Gianni Monzali)

This stamp was in use in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom from 1816 to 1818.
In principle, it looks like the previous one, and the value is '25 CEN.' (25 centesimi) again. The text is missing here, as there was no longer a difference for public or private use.
(scanned by Gianni Monzali)

This stamp was in use in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom from 1823 to 1840.
The text is 'LOMBARDIA', and 'F.I.' (for Franz I. of Austria), the value is 'C. 40' (40 centesimi, for regular packs) resp. 'C. 70' (70 centesimi, for Tarot packs).
(left stamp scanned by Jean Darquenne, right stamp scanned by Gianni Monzali)

These stamps were in use in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom 1842.
The text is 'LOMBARDIA', 'MILo' (for 'Milano') and '1842', the value is 'Cmi. 75' (75 centesimi, for regular packs) resp. 'LIRE 1.' (for Tarot packs).
(both scanned by Gianni Monzali)

This is a stamp from the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom in use 1843.
The text is 'LOMB. 1843.', the value is 'Lire una' and at the bottom is 'BERo' (for 'Bergamo').
(scanned by Massimo Grossi / Claudio Talacci)

This stamp was in use in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom 1844/45.
The text is 'LOMB. 1844', 'MILo' (for 'Milano'), the value is 'LIRE una'. It was intended for Tarot packs.
(scanned by Gianni Monzali)

This stamp from the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom is supposed to have been in use 1845.
The text is 'F.I.' (which looks strange, as Franz I. had died in 1835), 'Ct 75.' (for the value Centesimi 75), and 'MILANO'.
(from a scan by Claudio Talacci)

This is a stamp from the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom in use 1846.
The text is 'LOMBARDIA', 'CENT. 75' (for the value Centesimi 75), 'MILo' (for 'Milano'), and '1846'. This was a stamp for regular packs.
(from a modern reproduction pack, scanned by Manlio Tosi)

These stamps were in use in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom from 1850 to 1857.
The text is 'MILANO', the value is 'CENT. 25.' resp. 'CENT. 50'. They were for regular and Tarot packs. The left stamp was used for 'rough' cards, and the right stamp was for 'smooth' cards.
Note that the figures shown are facing in different directions. The stamps also exist with different city names.
(left stamp scanned by Gianni Monzali, right stamp by Niki Märzweiler)

Lucca and Piombino

This stamp was in use in the principality of Lucca and Piombino around 1810.
The text is 'GIUOCO PRIVATO', and a crowned monogram 'FE' (for Felice and Elisa).
(scanned by Jean Darquenne)

Modena and Reggio

This stamp was in use in the Duchy Modena and Reggio around 1850.
The text is 'GIUOCO SINO A CARTE N.40', and the value is 'CEN 10' (10 centesimi).
(scanned by Domenico Starna)

Naples and Sicily (Kingdom of Both Sicilies)

This stamp was in use in the Kingdom of Both Sicilies (Naples and Sicily) 1830 (and presumably later).
The text is 'R. (for 'Reale'?) MANUFATTURA DELLE CARTE DA GIOCO 1830', with an unrecognizable monogram at the bottom.
(scanned by Jean Darquenne)

This is another stamp in use in the Kingdom of Both Sicilies (Naples and Sicily).
The text is 'R. (for 'Reale'?) MANUFATTURA DELLE CARTE DA GIOCO' and a year I cannot read, with an unrecognizable monogram at the bottom again.
The stamp is similar to the previous one, but the crown and the arrangement of the text are different.
(from a scan by Gerd Matthes)

Parma and Piacenza

This stamp is a tax stamp from Parma. It is on a Four of Swords of a regular pack and I have also seen it on a Two of Cups of a tarot pack. It was used from 1826 to 1847.
The text is 'PARMA' and an abbreviation which stands for 'PIACENZA E GUASTALLA'. Additionally there are two dice (a 65?) and 'F.'.
(from a scan by Simon Wintle)

This stamp was in use in Parma and Piacenza around 1858.
The text is 'CARTE DA GIUOCO' and 'PIACENZA', with two lilies in the middle.
(scanned by Massimo Grossi / Claudio Talacci)

Sardinia

These two stamps were used in the Kingdom of Sardinia (incl. Piemont and Savoy) from 1815 to 1820. The smaller stamp on the left was used for 'regular' packs, the right stamp was for Tarocco packs.

Above is a band that was used to seal regular playing-card packs in the Kingdom of Sardinia from 1815 to 1820. It has an embossed stamp in the middle, and it went together with the left stamp above.

This bigger band was used to seal Tarocco packs in the Kingdom of Sardinia, also from 1815 to 1820. It again has an embossed stamp, and it was combined with the right stamp above.

Tuscany

This stamp was in use in Tuscany around 1850.
The text is 'CARTE DA GIUOCO DI TOSCANA'. In the middle is the value (with a stylized currency sign, Soldi 13.4').
(from a scan by John Sings)

This is another stamp from Tuscany. It is similar to the previous one, but the design is different.
The text is 'CARTE DA GIUOCO DI TOSCANA'. In the middle is the value (Soldi 13.4').
(scanned by an unnamed collector)

This is another stamp from Tuscany.
The text is again 'CARTE DA GIUOCO DI TOSCANA'. Note hat this stamp is octagonal instead of oval, the value is 'Soldi 10.'.
(from a scan by Walter Haas)

This is yet another stamp from Tuscany, but with a completely different design.
The text is 'CARTE DA GIUOCO DI TOSCANA'. The value is 'Soldi 13.4' again.
(scanned by an unnamed collector)

Venezia

This stamp was used in Venice in 1845. At this time Venice belonged to Austria. You can also see that from the double eagle in the middle of the stamp.
The text is 'CARTE DA GIUOCO', the value is 'CEN. 75', and at the lower end you can see 'Ven. 1845'.
(from a museum collection)

You can find more information and examples for tax stamps from Italian states, especially Lombardy and Tuscany, in the literature mentioned on the references page.

Stamps from after the unification are on the main Italy page.

	This stamp was in use in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom from 1823 to 1840. The text is 'LOMBARDIA', and 'F.I.' (for Franz I. of Austria), the value is 'C. 40' (40 centesimi, for regular packs) resp. 'C. 70' (70 centesimi, for Tarot packs). (left stamp scanned by Jean Darquenne, right stamp scanned by Gianni Monzali)

	These stamps were in use in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom 1842. The text is 'LOMBARDIA', 'MILo' (for 'Milano') and '1842', the value is 'Cmi. 75' (75 centesimi, for regular packs) resp. 'LIRE 1.' (for Tarot packs). (both scanned by Gianni Monzali)

	This is a stamp from the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom in use 1843. The text is 'LOMB. 1843.', the value is 'Lire una' and at the bottom is 'BERo' (for 'Bergamo'). (scanned by Massimo Grossi / Claudio Talacci)

	This stamp was in use in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom 1844/45. The text is 'LOMB. 1844', 'MILo' (for 'Milano'), the value is 'LIRE una'. It was intended for Tarot packs. (scanned by Gianni Monzali)

	This stamp from the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom is supposed to have been in use 1845. The text is 'F.I.' (which looks strange, as Franz I. had died in 1835), 'Ct 75.' (for the value Centesimi 75), and 'MILANO'. (from a scan by Claudio Talacci)

	This is a stamp from the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom in use 1846. The text is 'LOMBARDIA', 'CENT. 75' (for the value Centesimi 75), 'MILo' (for 'Milano'), and '1846'. This was a stamp for regular packs. (from a modern reproduction pack, scanned by Manlio Tosi)

	This stamp was in use in the Kingdom of Both Sicilies (Naples and Sicily) 1830 (and presumably later). The text is 'R. (for 'Reale'?) MANUFATTURA DELLE CARTE DA GIOCO 1830', with an unrecognizable monogram at the bottom. (scanned by Jean Darquenne)

	This is another stamp in use in the Kingdom of Both Sicilies (Naples and Sicily). The text is 'R. (for 'Reale'?) MANUFATTURA DELLE CARTE DA GIOCO' and a year I cannot read, with an unrecognizable monogram at the bottom again. The stamp is similar to the previous one, but the crown and the arrangement of the text are different. (from a scan by Gerd Matthes)

	This stamp is a tax stamp from Parma. It is on a Four of Swords of a regular pack and I have also seen it on a Two of Cups of a tarot pack. It was used from 1826 to 1847. The text is 'PARMA' and an abbreviation which stands for 'PIACENZA E GUASTALLA'. Additionally there are two dice (a 65?) and 'F.'. (from a scan by Simon Wintle)

	This stamp was in use in Parma and Piacenza around 1858. The text is 'CARTE DA GIUOCO' and 'PIACENZA', with two lilies in the middle. (scanned by Massimo Grossi / Claudio Talacci)

	This stamp was in use in Tuscany around 1850. The text is 'CARTE DA GIUOCO DI TOSCANA'. In the middle is the value (with a stylized currency sign, Soldi 13.4'). (from a scan by John Sings)

	This is another stamp from Tuscany. It is similar to the previous one, but the design is different. The text is 'CARTE DA GIUOCO DI TOSCANA'. In the middle is the value (Soldi 13.4'). (scanned by an unnamed collector)

	This is another stamp from Tuscany. The text is again 'CARTE DA GIUOCO DI TOSCANA'. Note hat this stamp is octagonal instead of oval, the value is 'Soldi 10.'. (from a scan by Walter Haas)

	This is yet another stamp from Tuscany, but with a completely different design. The text is 'CARTE DA GIUOCO DI TOSCANA'. The value is 'Soldi 13.4' again. (scanned by an unnamed collector)