Superior Steamboats No.9
This deck was of slightly superior quality than it's predecessor “National Steamboats No.9” and is enhanced by a more picturesque Ace of Spades.
National Card Co.: Superior Steamboats No.9 c.1885
Various U.S. playing card manufacturers produced their own version of the Steamboat brand, usually towards the bottom of the range, which related to the Steamboats that plied the Mississippi River. This deck was of slightly superior quality than it's predecessor “National Steamboats No.9” and is enhanced by a more picturesque Ace of Spades. It was retained by U.S.P.C.C. after its absorption by that company until about 1910.
Above: Superior Steamboats No.9, c.1885. Although the Steamboats brand was the bottom of the line quality-wise with all makers, this particular deck is gold edged! Images courtesy Rod Starling.
REFERENCES
Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000
All images on this page are from the collection of Rod Starling, author of "The Art and Pleasures of Playing Cards".
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.
Related Articles
A Look Back with Hope for the Future
“A Look Back with Hope for the Future” by Rod Starling
Card Fabrique Company
Card Fabrique Company had connections with several other manufacturers and their complete history is...
American Bank Note Company
The American Bank Note Company was a long-established firm producing national currency, finely engra...
Kismet Temple
The deck was made to honour Conrad V. Dykeman as Imperial Potentate of the Kismet Temple of the Anci...
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...
Russell, Morgan & Co
The distinctive Ace of Spades features the Statue of the Goddess of Freedom, based on the bronze sta...
Navy No.303
The second edition of 1883 has slightly larger indices and a more simplified Ace of Spades showing t...
Steamboat No.999
Owing to the romantic appeal of gambling on the Mississippi river many manufacturers added “Steamboa...
Kalamazoo Playing Card Co
This firm commenced producing playing cards with the name Kalamazoo Paper Box & Card Co in 1903.
The Steamboat Brand
The theme of steamboats navigating up and down the Mississippi also extended to the cotton plantatio...
Steamboats No.99
Steamboats No.99 was one of a number of brands produced by the American Playing Card Co. of Kalamazo...
Steamboats No.66
Steamboats #66 playing cards manufactured by the Kalamazoo Paper Box & Card Co., c.1903.
Tigers No.101
In 1881 Russell, Morgan & Company commenced playing card production by issuing six grades of cards w...
Tales from the Stage
"Tales from the Stage" - an article about theatrical playing cards by Rod Starling
Stage Playing Cards, 1908
This beautiful deck features an oval half-tone photo of a theatre star on each card, many of them le...
De Luxe No.142
A wide size version of De Luxe No.142 had been published in c.1920, with a similar Ace of Spades and...
Lighthouse No.922
“Lighthouse No.922” playing cards were introduced in c.1920.
Triton No.42
There have been at least three different versions of the Triton deck, with different Jokers, differe...
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
