The 1934 Cioccolato Abissinia La Portoghese di Catania is a rare Italian promotional card set issued by a chocolate manufacturer in Catania. Distributed with chocolate products around the time of the 1934 FIFA World Cup (which Italy hosted and won), the cards primarily celebrate the victorious Italian national football team while also including other sports.
The total number of cards in the set is difficult to find as there is no checklist available. PSA has graded a total of 29 different cards. In practice, the soccer portion is most commonly referenced as an 18-card miniature postcard-style group featuring stars such as Giuseppe Meazza, Silvio Piola, Angelo Schiavio, and others. The broader release expands to include prominent cyclists (like Gino Bartali, Learco Guerra, and Maurice Archambaud), boxer Primo Carnera, and exactly two auto racing cards: one of legendary Grand Prix driver Tazio Nuvolari and one of his great rival Achille Varzi. No other auto racing drivers appear in the set.
These scarce cards are larger than a standard sized card, measuring roughly 62–100 mm. The card features portrait sepia-colored photos on the front showing the athlete’s last name and minimally printed backs. Survival rates are low, and graded examples (especially from PSA or SGC) are uncommon, particularly in higher grades. The soccer stars tied to Italy’s World Cup triumph drive much of the interest, while the Nuvolari and Varzi racing cards appeal strongly to motorsport collectors and often bring premiums at auction.
Overall, this set offers a fascinating glimpse into 1930s Italian sports promotion through confectionery, blending national football pride with a touch of multi-sport variety.
