ARRCO

ARRCO Playing Card Co., Chicago, c.1935 - 1987, when acquired by USPCC.

Formerly Arrow P.C.Co. c.1930-35.

Also at: ARRCO Playing Card Co. (Canada) Ltd, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Above: first Arrco ace of spades, c.1935 (formerly it read "The Arrow Playing Card Co"). Image courtesy Ken Lodge.

Above: Club Reno, one of many brands published by ARRCO, the ace of spades reads ‘Fortuna Bona’ (literally "Good Fortune", a benevolent aspect of the Roman Goddess of luck and chance), c.1940. Red or blue back, various boxes, various jokers. Image courtesy Matt Probert.

Above: ‘Service de Luxe’ playing cards by ARRCO, c.1943 or later, produced for sale in USO canteens during WWII. 52 cards + 2 Jokers in box.

See also: ‘Enardoe’ special conjuring deck for Edward O. Drane & Co, and also Enardoe’s Goofy Bridge►

Above: “Victory" cards celebrating U.S. participation in the Allied victory, c.1945. Courtesy Rex Pitts.

Above: Canasta set produced by Arrco in around 1950.

Above: Canasta. Image courtesy Ken Lodge.

Above: ‘Sheraton’ playing cards, ARRCO, USA. Image courtesy Ken Lodge.

Above: ‘Forcolar’ playing cards, ARRCO, USA, 1945-47. A more modern attempt at a four colour "no revoke" deck with black spades, red hearts, orange diamonds and green clubs (clovers). The second edition has the initial of each suit shown on every pip card, not just the aces. Image courtesy Ken Lodge.

Above: Centaur Canasta by Arrco with ace of spades and jokers unique to the brand, c.1951. Courtesy Matt Probert.

Above: ‘Duratone’ plastic coated playing cards, one of several brands manufactured by ARRCO Playing Card Co.

Above: double set of ‘Duratone’ plastic coated playing cards in felt box, each deck contains 52 cards + 2 jokers, manufactured by ARRCO Playing Card Co, c.1950s.

Above: Unbranded deck with a different ace of spades and joker design, c.1960 (or perhaps earlier). We know from the A.P.C.Co tax stamp they are between 1940 and 1965.  See also: Delta Airlines • Canada Souvenir

Above: ARRCO standard court cards.

ARRCO was taken over by USPCC in 1986 and many brands were retained.

REFERENCE and CREDITS

Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000.

All images courtesy Matt Probert (unless stated otherwise).