Cruiser Playing Cards
Dougherty's ‘Cruiser No.96’, first published c.1897, was dedicated to the U.S. Navy..
A. Dougherty: ‘Cruiser No.96’ Playing Cards
Dougherty's ‘Cruiser No.96’, first published c.1897, was dedicated to the U.S. Navy. The Ace of Spades has a warship and the Joker is a sailor walking with a goat (the mascot of the Naval Academy at Annapolis). The back design includes torpedoes. From the 1890s on Dougherty used either ‘Andrew Dougherty’ or ‘A. Dougherty’ on his Aces of Spades. As a general rule, the longer version was used on the earlier version of each brand. The later version of ‘Cruiser No.96’ came with the simpler name on the Ace of Spades (as shown here).
Above: Dougherty's Cruiser No.96x playing cards, c.1905, the 'x' indicating the gold edged edition. The box includes maritime artwork and the 'Torpedo' back was either red or blue. Images courtesy Rod Starling.
← Left: click image to zoom.
REFERENCES
Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000
By Rod Starling (1936-2023)
United States • Member since January 09, 2013
Rod Starling was one of the founding members of the 52 Plus Joker card collectors club. He authored many articles for the club's quarterly newsletter, Clear the Decks. His collection encompasses both foreign and American decks. Rod also authored a book titled The Art and Pleasures of Playing Cards.
Activity for Cruiser Playing Cards
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Pendleton playing cards
Pendleton playing cards inspired by indigenous American artwork, USA, 2019.
A Look Back with Hope for the Future
“A Look Back with Hope for the Future” by Rod Starling
The Traveler’s Companion
The “Traveler’s Companion”, Union Playing Card Co., New York, c.1886.
42: Andrew Dougherty
Andrew Dougherty was one of the biggest American card-makers in the 19th century
Card Fabrique Company
Card Fabrique Company had connections with several other manufacturers and their complete history is...
Army & Navy
Andrew Dougherty’s Army & Navy deck from the Civil War era, c.1865.
American Bank Note Company
The American Bank Note Company was a long-established firm producing national currency, finely engra...
Perfection Playing Card Co.
Tip-Top No.350 playing cards manufactured by Perfection Playing Card Company, Philadelphia, c.1887
Pyramid P.C.C.
The company introduced a number of standard brands until it was absorbed into U.S.P.C.C. and its aff...
Cabinet No.707
Russell & Morgan's “Cabinet No.707” brand was first introduced in 1888.
Navy No.303
The second edition of 1883 has slightly larger indices and a more simplified Ace of Spades showing t...
Army No.303
The Joker is particularly persuasive, whilst the Ace of Spades has a battle scene involving artiller...
Superior Steamboats No.9
This deck was of slightly superior quality than it's predecessor “National Steamboats No.9” and is e...
Tigers No.101
In 1881 Russell, Morgan & Company commenced playing card production by issuing six grades of cards w...
Tally-Ho
The earliest Ace of Spades had the Centre Street address and the Jolly Joker was used until the “Tal...
Indicator No.50
No.50 appears at the bottom of the Ace of Spades and the cards have corner indices and miniature sui...
Triplicate No.18
Dougherty first secured a patent for “Triplicates” in 1876, a novel type of indices with a miniature...
Andrew Dougherty c.1850
The idiosyncratic courts used in this deck were used by several other U.S. manufacturers, including ...
Ivorette
Dougherty was at the forefront of innovation, adding Best Bowers and then Jokers, rounded corners an...
Norwood #85, c.1909
The deck features a colourful Ace of Spades and Joker, decorated Aces, unique courts and two beautif...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
