Lawrence & Cohen

Lawrence & Cohen were successors to Lawrence, Cohen & Co., in 1864. During the relatively short period that Lawrence & Cohen decks were produced, both single and double-ended courts were manufactured. The company was merged into The New York Consolidated Card Company in 1871.

Superfine Florigated Playing Cards by Lawrence & Cohen, c.1863 Superfine Florigated Playing Cards

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

Bijou Patience cards made by Lawrence & Cohen, c.1860

Above: Bijou Cards, a patience size deck with one-way courts very similar to the above example, made by Lawrence & Cohen, c.1860.

Lawrence & Cohen decided to hire Owen Jones, the English playing card designer who produced back designs for De La Rue (London), to design new backs. The De La Rue Ace of Spades was also adapted for use by Lawrence & Cohen, but the crown was soon to be replaced by an eagle.

Deck with back designed by Owen Jones, c.1865

Above: deck with back design and ace of spades designed by Owen Jones, made by Lawrence & Cohen, c.1865.   more →

Lawrence & Cohen merged into The New York Consolidated Card Company in 1871.