Columbian Exposition Souvenir
Columbian Exposition Souvenir playing cards, G.W. Clark, Chicago, 1893.
Columbian Exposition Souvenir playing cards, copyrighted by G.W. Clark, Chicago, 1893. The reverse depicts the Landing of Columbus in an ornamental frame, whilst all the face cards feature coloured sketches of the fair with miniature playing cards (triplicates) in the upper-left and lower-right corners serving as indices, with the value of the card shown at the top and bottom.
Above: Columbian Exposition Souvenir playing cards, G.W. Clark, Chicago, 1893. The joker shows two medallions and the words "Columbian Souvenir Playing Cards".
The Box
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996
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.
Activity for Columbian Exposition Souvenir
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Official World’s Fair Souvenir, USA, 1964-6
Official souvenir pack showing 52 coloured exhibits from the New York World’s Fair, 1964-6.
Pan-American Exposition Souvenir
Pan-American Exposition Souvenir Playing Cards, Buffalo, NY, 1901.
Vistas de Lima
Souvenir of Peru playing cards made by Standard Playing Card Co., Chicago, c.1910
Missouri State Souvenir
Missouri Souvenir playing cards designed by OnPoint Speciality products in the USA, 2017.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley playing cards published by The United States Playing Card Company, c.2002.
Panama Souvenir 1908
1st edition of Panama Souvenir playing cards published by U.S. Playing Card Co., 1908
Panama Souvenir Playing Cards
Several editions of Panama Souvenir Playing Cards were issued by the USPCC between 1908 - 1926. The ...
Adventures in Korea
Each card has a colour drawing of a Korean building, museum or tourist attraction with a brief descr...
Hong Kong Souvenir
Hong Kong Souvenir playing cards.
Acapulco Souvenir
Acapulco Souvenir playing cards designed and printed by Foliproa S.A., Mexico.
Souvenir of Mexico
Souvenir of Mexico playing cards by Clemente Jacques y Cia, S.A., 1950s.
World’s Fair Souvenir
One of a series of Columbian Exposition Souvenir Playing Cards published during 1892-94 celebrating ...
Bicycle No.808
The famous Bicycle playing cards were first introduced by Russell & Morgan Printing Co in 1885. More...
Historic Boston and Vicinity
Historic Boston and Vicinity Souvenir Playing Cards, 1900 & 1909.
The United States Playing Card Company
Over the years the pressures of competition and other market forces have led to many smaller manufac...
Andrew Dougherty 1848-1930
Andrew Dougherty was born in Donegal in Northern Ireland in 1827. He started his playing card busine...
Vistas del Perú, c.1920s
Vistas del Perú souvenir deck, made in USA and imported by Edw. E. Muecke, Lima, Peru, c.1920s.
The Joker Card
The 'Joker' is believed to have been invented by American Euchre players who, when modifying the rul...
U. S. A.
The manufacture of playing cards in America only began during the second half of the 18th century, a...
Peruvian Souvenir Playing Cards
Assorted scenes from Peruvian landscape, architecture and culture published by Jan Mer S.A.C., c.200...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
-playing-cards-with-wüst-courts/images/rijks-1.465ba2b2.jpg "Oude Kunst (Old Art) playing cards with Wüst courts")
Peter Burnett
19 November 2025, 09:47SavedSaved this article to Peter's Collection