Below: New York Consolidated Card Company letterhead, image courtesy Dean Canter

The New York Consolidated Card Company was formed in 1871 by the merging of three earlier firms which had flourished during the mid-19th century. These were Lawrence & Cohen (which had been founded in 1832 by Lewis I. Cohen), Samuel Hart & Co (founded c.1849 by Samuel Hart) and John J. Levy.

Above: "Royal Playing Cards" published in the mid-1890s to commemorate the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria and Russia (subsequently replaced by Italy). The suits depict personages from Germany (clubs), Austria (diamonds), Italy (hearts) and Russia (spades).   more...

This Ace of Spades and the Gold Medal Joker were first issued c.1880 and subsequently used in "Squeezer" decks. However, the central cherub on the Ace was soon replaced by a wreath, and the outer images were also replaced (see below).

Above: No.35 Squeezers manufactured by The New York Consolidated Card Co., c.1927 and imported into Argentina by Bertrand Domec, whose details are overprinted on the ace of hearts. Bertrand Domec had a long-standing relationship with the NYCC and was their exclusive agent in the River Plate region.   more...

Earlier History of NYCCC

Lewis I. Cohen was a pioneering manufacturer who made his first deck of cards in 1832. In 1835 Mr Cohen invented a new machine to print four colours on a sheet at once, which was to revolutionise the entire playing card industry. This innovation soon led to his dominance in the market.

Above: 'Highlanders' deck produced by L.I. Cohen, c.1840-60. The full-length courts have been made to resemble the wood-block courts of earlier times.   more...

Above: one of the earliest decks with the Lawrence, Cohen & Co. name, which can be read on the Ace of Spades along with the 184 William Street address, c.1860. This subsequently became the address for the New York Consolidated Card Company when this was formed in the early 1870s.   more...

Above: 'Superfine Florigated Playing Cards', a richly illuminated deck produced by Lawrence & Cohen, c.1863, with gold added to the colour scheme.   more...

Bee #92

The "Bee #92" brand was first produced by NYCCC in c.1895 and is still being produced today, making it one of the longest running brands ever made. It has been exported extensively around the world and customised for casino use where required. Over the years the design of the Ace of Spades has been simplified, losing the decorative detail seen on earlier examples. Today "Bee #92" cards are manufactured by the United States Playing Card Co., Cincinnati.

Above: "Bee #92" playing cards which have been prepared for fortune-telling by the addition of adhesive paper labels on each card detailing the divinatory meaning.