Globe Card Company
“Globe Playing Cards” patented on Oct. 6, 1874 by I. N. Richardson.
In 1874 I. N. Richardson patented a deck of round, or circular, playing cards which was produced at 68 Cornhill Street, Boston, Mass. In c. 1875 the firm was taken over by I. W. Richardson, the son of I. N. Richardson. The Son’s name replaced that of the father on the Ace of Spades. In c.1878 the firm’s name was changed to Globe Card Co. which name was used on the Ace of Spades, replacing that of the son, I. W. Richardson. In c.1880 the firm moved to larger premises at 78 Hawley Street, Boston, Mass and continued to produce the same deck, changing the address on the Ace of Spades accordingly. All the Aces of Spades carried the patent date of Oct. 6, 1874 by I. N. Richardson►
Above: “Globe Playing Cards” published by the Globe Card Co., 78 Hawley Street, Boston, Mass c.1880. The box has the remains of a five cents tax stamp. Images courtesy Tammy & Larry Northup.
By Simon Wintle
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.
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