Triton No.42
There have been at least three different versions of the Triton deck, with different Jokers, different styles of court cards and slight differences in the lettering on the Ace of Spades and/or Joker. The cards were advertised as “double enameled”.
The “Triton No.42” brand was first introduced by the N.Y. Consolidated Card Co. in around 1890 as one of their more expensive brands and part of their ‘Squeezer’ range, with “perfect slip”. The cards were advertised as “double enamelled”. There have been at least three different versions of the Triton deck, with different Jokers, different styles of court cards and slight differences in the lettering on the Ace of Spades and/or Joker. Triton is a mythological Greek god, the messenger of the sea. He is usually represented as a merman, having the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish, as seen here on the Ace of Spades and Joker. Triton cards were aimed to be preferred by the leading clubs and Army and Navy.
Right: another back design →
Above: N.Y. Consolidated Card Co's “Triton No.42” brand playing cards with the “Triton” Joker, c.1895. The court card designs are inspired by those of De la Rue. Images courtesy Rod Starling.
Right: Click the box to zoom →
Above: Triton advert, c.1892.
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.
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