Historic Early Aviation
Reproductions of cigarette cards from 1910 on the subject of the early days of aviation.
The history of early aviation – from 1783 to 1909 – is a fascinating subject. However, this pack is a bit of a hotchpotch and doesn’t really do justice to the subject matter. The designs are taken from old cigarette (insert) cards of 1909, with text written at that time. The cards are larger than normal in order to accommodate both the original cigarette card designs and the text which would originally have appeared on the reverse of those insert cards. Unfortunately, the text takes up a lot of space, resulting in the cigarette cards (especially the ones in horizontal format) looking minute. One of the extra cards explains how the pack was put together. There are no Jokers. See the box►
Above: Historic Early Aviation playing cards published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT, USA, 2003. Printed in China. 52 cards + 2 extra cards in hard, flip-top box. Size: 70 x 105 mm. © 2003 U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Activity for Historic Early Aviation
Sign in to comment or save this article.
Related Articles
Rockwell International
Cards celebrating the Space Shuttle, astronauts, and Mission Control staff.
Royal Mischief Transformation
Royal Mischief Transformation reworks Patrick Valenza’s Royal Mischief characters and imagery...
The Tarot of Meditation – Yeager Tarot
Marty Yeager’s original Tarot of Meditation from 1975, republished later by U.S. Games Systems, Inc....
Victorian playing cards
54 different card designs including people, animals, flowers, costumes and ornaments popular during ...
New Palladini Tarot
“The New Palladini Tarot” by David Palladini published by U.S. Games Inc., in 1996.
The Age of Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs from different ages and locations, with artwork by Virginijus Poshkus.
Buffalo soldiers
“Buffalo soldiers” playing cards commemorating African American military men who helped change the f...
Bicycle Flight playing cards
Bicycle Flight ‘Airplane’ and ‘Airship’ playing cards, homage to aviation, 2014.
The Cooper Union
The Cooper Union caricature playing cards illustrated by Gerry Gersten, United States, c. 1987
Life playing cards: tobacco education
‘Life playing cards: tobacco education’ anti-smoking deck, USA, 2003.
African art playing cards
African art and symbolism on playing cards designed by John J. Beckvermit III, USA, 1994.
Death Cigarettes
‘Death Cigarettes’ anti-smoking playing cards, USA, 1985.
Mummy Playing Cards
Die-cut cards in the shape of an Egyptian sarcophagus.
Virginia Slims
Tasteful advertising pack promoting Virginia Slims cigarettes.
The Playing Card Oracles
The Picture Book of Ana Cortez is an original work of art designed to facilitate Divination.
N.A.S.A. Aircraft
Lessons of a Widowmaker and Other NASA Aircraft, c.2010.
Zoom
“Zoom” Airplane card game published by Whitman Publishing Co., Racine, USA, ©1941.
Wings
‘Wings’, the air mail game © 1928 by Parker Brothers Inc.
Lindy
‘Lindy’ - the flying game - a sequel to ‘Touring’ by Parker Brothers, 1927.
Jetsetter Playing Cards
Jetsetter playing cards, inspired by aviation, air travel and jet-setting.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
