Russell, Morgan & Co

In 1881 Russell, Morgan & Company commenced playing card production by issuing a range of brands:

• 101 Tigers
• 202 Sportsman’s
• 303 Army and Navy
• 404 Congress

The distinctive Ace of Spades features the Statue of the Goddess of Freedom, based on the bronze statue designed by Thomas Crawford (1814-1857) that, since 1863, has crowned the dome of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Aces and Jokers usually also contained elaborate and picturesque engravings. Other new brands followed shortly, including:

• 999 Steamboat
• 808 Bicycle
• 155 Tourists
• 707 Cabinet
• 188 Capitol
• 366 Squared Faro

In 1885 the business was renamed as “Russell & Morgan Printing Company”, as seen in the calendar page (right).

In 1891 the company name was changed yet again to “The United States Printing Co.” and then in 1894 “The United States Playing Card Company” was incorporated to hold all the playing card manufacturing operations. This sequence of events can be followed in the inscriptions on the Aces of Spades in successive editions of their playing cards.

Above: “Tigers No.101” playing cards manufactured by Russell & Morgan Co., Cincinnati, c.1881. The cards have a generic R&M Ace of Spades (without any brand name or tiger image), full-length courts and corner indices.  See more →

Above: early “Bicycle” deck printed by Russell & Morgan Printing Co.  See more →

Above: “Tourists No.155” brand playing cards manufactured by Russell & Morgan Printing Co., Cincinnati, c.1886.   See more →

Above: “Capitol #188” brand playing cards manufactured by Russell & Morgan Printing Co., Cincinnati, c.1886.   See more →

Above: “Cabinet No.707” playing cards manufactured by the Russell & Morgan Printing Co, Cincinnati, c.1888.   See more →

Above: 'Skat No.1' German-style playing cards manufactured by the Russell & Morgan Printing Co., Cincinnati, USA, c.1889. These decks were produced in various grades for the German immigrant population and feature the German eagle and the German and American flags intertwined.   See more →

Above: 'Steamboat No.999' playing cards produced in three colours by the United States Printing Co., Cincinnati, USA, c.1891.   See more →

REFERENCES

Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000

All images on this page are from the collection of Rod Starling, author of "The Art and Pleasures of Playing Cards".