The Kings show American admirals and the Jacks have different officers at each end. The Queens are “Our Colonies”. Advertising appears on the Ace of Spades and ‘Uncle Sam’ Joker, the back and the box. The medals on the Aces suggest awards.
This deck is commonly known as the “Anheuser-Busch Spanish-American War deck”, issued at the end of the war.
Promotional playing cards designed by Wim Simons, Belgium, 1960s.
Australian Brewery Advertising
‘Cartes de Luxe’ first published by Biermans in 1877 was reproduced in facsimile by Amstel Beer in c.1980.
Castle Lager playing cards, c.2012.
Advertising pack for Cerveza ‘El Gallo’ made in Belgium, c.1880
It was a common practice for card makers to produce decks under fictitious names particularly when producing advertising decks. This was to avoid promoting their own name at the expense of the client who was paying to advertise their own product.
A somewhat unusual deck specially designed for Grolsch Breweries evoking self-expression and independence of spirit, c.2012
Juan Roura No.32, with advertisement for Cervezas Damm, c.1932
Deck made in China in c.2010 advertising the Chinese brew “Lucky Beer, the enlightened beer”
Pilsen Trucofest playing cards, Uruguay, c.2008
Pilsner Urquell publicity deck from Czech Republic featuring beer drinkers.
Advertising Deck for the Piwiarnia Pub in Warsaw.
There were various Sports and Sporting Whist themes... and tobacco advertising on score cards.
Schincariol Cerveja Pilsen brewery playing cards manufactured by Gráfica Nossa Senhora Aparecida Ltda (Nossagraf), Brazil
‘House of Horror’ Halloween deck published by Strongbow cider, 2015
Theakston Brewery advertising playing cards depicting old brewing traditions, tools and skills, designed in the style of early 18th century cards.
A vintage Watney's Coombe Reid & Co Ltd promotional card game distributed by the brewery to their customers in c.1930
Welsh Brewery Playing Cards
Wüst Spanish pattern c.1910 advertising Cuban ‘Tropical’ beer.
