Excelsior
Excelsior brand by A. Dougherty, 26 Beekman St, New York, c.1870.
This is a difficult deck to date. The shaded ace of spades is early. The Dougherty card-manufactory was moved to 26 Beekman Street in c.1858. The courts also appears to be early but the round corners should be later.
Above: Excelsior brand by A. Dougherty, 26 Beekman St, New York, c.1870. Images courtesy Gene Barry.
REFERENCES
Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000