American Drummer
American Drummer Playing Cards celebrating famous Americans involved in the fight for American independence.
Issued in the run-up to the American Bicentennial, this pack, conceived and designed by Roy Lipstreu, commemorates some of the people who fought for, and won, independence for America. The Kings are George Washington (S), Thomas Jefferson (H), Benjamin Franklin (D), and Patrick Henry (C). The Queens are Martha Washington (S), Betsy Ross (H), Dolly Madison (D), and Abigail Adams (C). The Jacks represent the professional soldiers and sailors (S), the Militia (H), the Minutemen (D), and Mountain Men and Woodsmen (C). The American Drummer motif appears on the Ace of Spades, the two Jokers, the back (red or blue) and the box. Cleverly, the artist has created court card designs which are not too far removed from standard court cards, thus probably aiming to broaden the appeal to traditional card players. See the leaflet►
Above: American Drummer playing cards published by American Drummer Playing Cards, Lakewood, OH, USA, 1975. Maker unknown. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + title card + leaflet in tuck box. Size: 59.5 x 89.5 mm. © Amer. Drum. 1975.
See the box►
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Activity for American Drummer
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
The New Deal Playing Card Company
Publishers of a range of ergocards intended to be easy to hold and easy to shuffle.
Jeu Buffon
Illustrations of different birds from works by Buffon to celebrate the bicentenary of his death.
Junior Playing Cards
Child-friendly versions of standard English pattern cards designed by Louie Mantia, Jr.
Norfin® Trolls
Troll dolls with gaudy hairstyles in a multitude of different costumes.
Card Tricks
Stereotypical representations of gay men and men they most admire, in a 1981 pack from San Francisco...
Mediaeval Playing Cards
Finely executed late 19th century pack from the USA featuring courts in medieval costume.
Y-ME playing cards
Works by 54 American artists in aid of a breast cancer charity.
Novelty Playing Cards
Standard designs by M.F. Milward of Chicago, resembling those of Andrew Dougherty.
Pan-American Exposition Souvenir
Pan-American Exposition Souvenir Playing Cards, Buffalo, NY, 1901.
Neiman Marcus playing cards
Cowboys and American Indians on a pack for Neiman Marcus, the Dallas department store.
The Liberty Deck
Portraits, signatures and brief biographies of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence...
Mummy Playing Cards
Die-cut cards in the shape of an Egyptian sarcophagus.
Wild West playing cards
Famous lawmen, gamblers, outlaws and others from the American Wild West.
Logger-Reno
A tribute to the logging industry with suits of trees and trucks.
The Times of Kamehameha The Great
Figures from Hawaiian history and scenes of everyday life designed by Joseph Feher.
Reagan’s Rogues Gallery
A pack inspired by the Iran-Contra affair or Gipper-gate during the Reagan era, produced by R. Billi...
Grand Slam
Limited edition gift set issued to mark the American Bicentennial, 1776-1976, produced by John Waddi...
The Great Indoors
“The Great Indoors” playing cards published by DesignWorks Ink, Nashville, USA, 2021.
Helmsley Hotels
Publicity pack for the Harley and Helmsley Hotels, U.S.A., c.1986.
Bush Cards – The Second Term
Playing cards slanted to the right, issued to mark George W. Bush’s second term of office.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
Peter Burnett
19 November 2025, 09:47SavedSaved this article to Peter's Collection