Charles Bartlet

Playing cards by  Charles Bartlet, Philadelphia

Charles Bartlet has been shown to be Samuel Hart, who was attempting to trade on the good reputation of Caleb Bartlett, who had recently ceased production, and to capture a share of the market. The courts are in the old style possibly to preserve a loyal following. Bartlet’s address in Philadelphia was the same as Harts’s in 1846-48.

The back design on this Charles Bartlet deck appears to be inspired by the work of the English card back designer, Owen Jones (1809-1874), who commenced working for De la Rue (London) in 1844 and who also produced designs for Lawrence & Cohen. The date may be somewhere between c.1845-65, when single-ended courts were still in use, while double ended numeral cards were being introduced.

Above: a Bartlet wrapper with a script style cancel on the revenue stamp, which is identical in style to the contemporaneous Hart cancels. Notice it denotes New York manufacture. Probably a bold-faced lie. While Hart had a sales office in New York, his principal offices were in Philadelphia. This was probably just one more attempt to capitalize on the goodwill of Caleb Bartlett of New York. Image and notes courtesy Michael J. Morrissey.

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Above: Charles Bartlet revenue stamps for the years 1865 and 1866, plus a Samuel Hart stamp with C.B. overprinted dated June 1865. In 1866 Hart ordered a private die revenue stamp and no longer used the government die with his distinctive precancels. This was made feasible by the regularization of the tax to a flat 5c per pack of 52 cards irrespective of the retail price. Image and notes courtesy Michael J. Morrissey.