The United States Playing Card Co. (USPCC) represents an amalgamation of all the major American card-makers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
These decks were produced in various grades for the German immigrant population and feature the German eagle and the German and American flags intertwined. There were two versions: one with German faces and one with American faces.
This deck is commonly known as the “Anheuser-Busch Spanish-American War deck”, issued at the end of the war.
Over the years eight different Aces of Spades were used with this brand and the Joker was also modified several times. The brand was eventually phased out in 1931.
The Joker is particularly persuasive, whilst the Ace of Spades has a battle scene involving artillery, with Navy ships in the distance and the statue of the goddess of Freedom in the middle.
Atlantic Playing Card Co., Inc. promoted Bridge Ensemble boxes and companion accessories.
Evolution of American Bank Note Co's “Baggy Clown” Joker
“Fireside Bible Game” (No.1124) published by The Fireside Game Co., Cincinnati, USA, 1899.
Bicycle Butterfly playing cards from RSVP Magic with artwork by ‘Lotrék’ and printed by USPCC, 2012
Bicycle Heritage playing cards by the United States Playing Card Company, 2012
The famous Bicycle playing cards were first introduced by Russell & Morgan Printing Co in 1885
The famous 'Bicycle' playing cards were first introduced by Russell & Morgan Printing Co in 1885. They were hugely successful and became the most well-known brand in the world.
1st edition of famous Bicycle Playing Cards printed by Russell & Morgan Printing Co., Cincinnati, 1885.
Bicycle 808 Seconds playing cards manufactured by The United States Playing Card Co, Cincinnati and New York, USA, with offices also in Windsor, Canada and London, England.
“Breaking Bad” fan deck designed by Albino Dragon and manufactured by the USPCC in 2014
Early decks were presented in linen finish slip cases with the Statue of Freedom inside a Spade suit symbol and the words ‘U.S. Playing Cards’ and ‘The Russell & Morgan Co., Cincinnati’ printed or embossed on the front.
“Capitol No.188” was first introduced during the Russell & Morgan Printing Company era in c.1886 and carried through into the U.S.P.C.C's catalogue after 1895.
“Circus No.47”, first issued in 1896. The staid old Kings, Queens and Jacks have given way to various well-known ring masters, clowns and queens; dashing circus designs. Indeed, the clown Jacks are only a short step away from Jokers!
Congress Playing Cards were first produced by the Russell & Morgan Company in 1881 as the finest and most expensive of their brands.
Diamond Playing Card (DPC Ltd)
Elvis Presley playing cards published by The United States Playing Card Company, c.2002
Gibson Playing Card Co., Cincinnati and New York
Historic Boston and Vicinity Souvenir Playing Cards, 1909
Hustling Joe himself appears on the Ace of Spaces dressed in red. The non-standard and slightly comical court cards have different coloured backgrounds in each suit. Each pip card features a unique descriptive image which tells a story
The Game of ‘In Castle Land’ (No.1113) published by The Fireside Game Co., Cincinnati, 1896.
Cards with jumbo indices were introduced in 1895, and were given the subtitle '88'. Over the years a variety of Jokers were used, often taken from other brands.
McDonald’s playing cards by the United States Playing Card Co., Cincinnati, c.1997
The company advertised themselves as “The Monarch King of all Cycles” with the lion's head motif inside a bicycle wheel.
Naipes No. 71 Los Leones
The National Card Co. was formed in c.1886 by Samuel J Murray, who as a young man had worked in England in Charles Goodall's playing card factory. In 1881 he moved to Cincinnati and became an employee of Russell & Morgan playing card manufacturers. In 1886 he left Russell & Morgan and moved to Indianapolis to establish the National Card Company.
“Nationalities”, the people of many nations, published by the Fireside Game Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, c.1897
The second edition of 1883 has slightly larger indices and a more simplified Ace of Spades showing two sailing ships.
“New Era No.46”, based around European fashions, was soon followed with “Circus No.47”, “Hustling Joe No.61” and “Ye Witches No.62”.
No.4 Special Whist (American Skat) playing cards made by the Russell & Morgan Printing Company, 1889.
No.500 Playing Cards published by U.S.P.C.C., c.1910
The deck features a colourful Ace of Spades and Joker, decorated Aces, unique courts and two beautiful back designs featuring fine art paintings.
Souvenir of Panama playing cards by USPCC 6th Edition produced in 1923
1st edition of Panama Souvenir playing cards published by U.S. Playing Card Co., 1908
Several editions of Panama Souvenir Playing Cards were issued by the USPCC between 1908 - 1926. The design of the cards varied between editions, and different 'fact' and map cards were also included.
Tip-Top No.350 playing cards manufactured by Perfection Playing Card Company, Philadelphia, c.1887
Playing cards manufactured by The US Playing Card Co for the Estanco de Naipes del Peru, 1920s - 1950s
The game of Population was first published by the Fireside Game Co., Cincinnati, USA (a division of United States Playing Card Co), in c.1896
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.
Squared Faro #366 by Russell & Morgan Co. was issued in 1887
This beautiful deck features an oval half-tone photo of a theatre star on each card, many of them legendary names, along with their autograph beneath. The border artwork consists of a different coloured floral pattern for each suit. The back has a decorative panel with theatre masks.
“STAR WARS Episode 1” playing cards printed by U.S. Playing Card Co., c.1999
“Strange People” card game produced by the Fireside Game Co., Cincinnati, 1895.
Timothy Curtis Art custom Bicycle playing cards, 2018.
Imagery of slightly eccentric tourists sightseeing in Egypt, or perhaps in the Alps, appears on the back of the box, the Ace of Spades and the Joker.
Trophy Whist No.39 playing cards published by the the United States Playing Card Co., 1895
