Poker No. 140

Dondorf Poker No. 140

Standard Anglo-American type deck issued for the “Argentina” Compañia General de Navegación Sociedad Anónima, c.1920s.

These designs were issued originally by B. Dondorf as Poker-Karte during the late 19th century. This edition was printed for “Argentina Compañia General de Navegación Sociedad Anónima” probably sometime during the 1920s. The indices are slightly thicker than in earlier editions, and there is a small difference of detail in the Ace of Spades, but in other respects the cards are identical. The manufacturer's name can be read on the Jack of Clubs as well as at the bottom of the Ace of Spades.

Argentina Compañia General de Navegación Sociedad Anónima was owned by A. M. Delfino (Buenos Aires) and was closely connected to Hamburg Sud, Hamburg. Delfino was well-known for the organization of cruises and the sale of tickets, and this circumstance later on gave rise to a new activity as travel agents.   Learn more →

Above: Dondorf's Poker No. 140 issued for the "Argentina" Compañia General de Navegación Sociedad Anónima, c.1920. 52 cards + Joker in special box

Left: 2 boxes in complimentary colours. The wrappers contain no information.

Left: Dondorf's Poker-Karte No. 195 published in 1906 for Hamburg-Amerika Line, showing the same designs as in the above example, but with narrower margins and slightly thinner indices. The original numbers were No.191, No.193, No.197, No.195, with increasing quality: middle fine, fine, fine, superfine. The height and number of the index signs were:
2, letters 4 mm, 1889 - 1900
2, letters 6 mm, 1900 - 1920
2, letters 7 mm, 1920 - 1933
4, letters 9 mm, 1924 - 1933
(these are approximate dates)

Notes: thanks to Peter Endebrock for the above information about this pack. Thanks are also due to Ted Finch who kindly showed us the Delfino website.

See also:   S.S. France playing cards