Brown & Bigelow
Brown & Bigelow of St Paul, Minnesota, was a leading producer of playing cards in the U.S. from the late 1920s - 1980s.
Brown & Bigelow of St Paul, Minnesota, was a leading producer of playing cards in the U.S. from the late 1920s - 1980s. Brown & Bigelow manufactured playing cards under several brand names (Hoyle, Remembrance, Kent, Trump, Nu Vue, Treasure) as well as novelty and advertising decks. They also manufactured cards for the Nasco Playing Cards (Chicago), Miguel Galas (Mexico), Creative Playing Card Co. and Stancraft Playing Cards.
Above: Brown & Bigelow's most common ace of spades and joker c.1945-1980s.
An agreement had been made with Spicers (Australia) to provide modern production techniques. Brown & Bigelow also printed some Queen’s Slipper decks in the 1979/80 period. Earlier in the 1970s they lent some designs to Reeds (Australia) for them to print see here. Brown and Bigelow also printed decks for James Hardie Spicers in 1980-81.
A subsidiary of Brown & Bigelow was established in 1927 to bring Hoyle products to the retail market. After 1975 the division’s name was changed to Hoyle Products. In 2001 The United States Playing Card Company acquired Brown & Bigelow’s playing card division, including Hoyle brand playing cards and computer products.
Above: Nutrimientos Purina by Miguel Galas (Brown & Bigelow), Mexico, c.1960
Above: Australian Queen’s Slipper decks made by Brown & Bigelow, 1979/80
Above: Submarine Playing Cards
Above: Honeywell Binary Playing Cards, c.1968
Above: Kent brand.
Above: Hoyle
Above: “Remembrance” playing cards
Above: “Bannister Babies” playing cards with political captions beneath babies, 1960
Above: Historic Michie Tavern Museum
Above: Nu-Vue playing cards for TWA, mid-1960s
Above: Stancraft brand.
More about ‘Nu-Vue’
Above: from leaflet inside Bridge set, early 1960s. Courtesy Matt Probert.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
Related Articles
Alaska scenic playing cards
Alaska scenic playing cards featuring scenes of Alaskan life, USA, c. 1960.
Maya Deck
The Maya Deck produced by Stancraft for Hoyle, 1976.
Eastern Airlines and Ryder Trucks by Hoyle
Dual advertising deck for Eastern Airlines and Ryder Trucks, produced by Hoyle, 1983.
Stancraft “Split Deck”
Stancraft “Split Deck”, 1979.
Hoyle® Official Card Games Collection
The Hoyle® Official Card Games Collection 2015 includes plenty of favourites, and also includes the ...
The Lumberjacks
2nd edition of Lumberjacks designed by Vadim Smolenskiy and manufactured by U.S.P.C.C.
Remembrance
“Remembrance” playing cards, courtesy of the American Legion, manufactured by Brown & Bigelow, c.194...
Michie Tavern Museum
Historic Michie Tavern Museum playing cards by Brown & Bigelow.
Stancraft
Stancraft Playing Cards were manufactured by Brown & Bigelow of whom they were a subsidiary.
Hoyle
A subsidiary of Brown & Bigelow was established in 1927 to bring Hoyle products to the retail market...
No.500 Playing Cards
No.500 Playing Cards published by U.S.P.C.C., c.1910
Submarine Cards
Lighting in submarines involved wearing red goggles to preserve night vision for viewing instrument ...
Nutrimientos Purina
Nutrimientos Purina (Purina pet foods) advertising playing cards produced by Miguel Galas S.A. (Brow...
Jumbo Bridge 88
Cards with jumbo indices were introduced in 1895, and were given the subtitle '88'.
The United States Playing Card Company
Over the years the pressures of competition and other market forces have led to many smaller manufac...
Strauss & Trier, c.1860
Strauss & Trier, New York, c.1860.
Thomas Crehore copy, c.1850
Thomas Crehore copy, c.1850.
U. S. A.
The manufacture of playing cards in America only began during the second half of the 18th century, a...
Bonnie Blue’s Rummy Cards
Bonnie Blue’s Rummy Cards.
4 Seasons Playing Cards
Colours of the Four Seasons - Playing Card Art Deck
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
