Western PCC, Racine, Wisconsin

he Western Playing Card Company was formed in 1927. The exact history and origins are not clear. Following some kind of merger or change of name on the part of the M.B. Sheffer Card Co (1924-26), brands belonging to several former playing card manufacturers (possibly including The Western Press) were now produced by Western P.C.C. The double-ended Joker, for example, had formerly been used by Midland Playing Card Co., Chicago. Many pictorial back designs were issued, which were usually unnamed, in several popular categories of art which may appeal to the single card collector.

Left: cards from deck of No.149 Champions standard playing cards, with gold edges and pictorial back design, produced by Western Playing Card Co., c.1940s.

Below: cards from standard deck with gold edges and cute 'Puppy' back design, c.1940. This particular deck was imported into Argentina by the importing agent A. di Bacco, Paraguay 1520, Buenos Aires, whose details are overprinted on the Ace of Hearts along with the Argentinean importation tax stamp. The deck contains 52 cards + 1 double-ended Joker with the legend "No. 1791 Muggins" + 1 Extra Joker, with the legend "© 1939, Assn of American Playing Card Manufacturers".