Kismet Temple
The deck was made to honour Conrad V. Dykeman as Imperial Potentate of the Kismet Temple of the Ancient Arab Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a spin off of the Free and Accepted Masons.
Kismet Temple, 1923
A special pack for the Kismet Temple made by the Pyramid P.C.Co., Brooklyn, New York, 1923. The deck was made to honour Conrad V. Dykeman as Imperial Potentate of the Kismet Temple of the Ancient Arab Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a spin off of the Free and Accepted Masons. The inscriptions on the back and over the picture of the Temple probably name it in Arabic. The Order was formed by 13 Masons who met on September 26, 1879, in the New York Masonic Hall located on east 13th Street. The Scimitar, Crescent and Star grouping is a Masonic emblem which the A.A.O.N.M.S. adopted for its various Temples learn more →
Above: special pack made for the Kismet Temple by the Pyramid P.C.Co., 1923.
Right: the front and back of the box. Click to zoom→
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
Is Card Collecting an Investment?
“Is Card Collecting an Investment?” - an article by Rod Starling.
A Look Back with Hope for the Future
“A Look Back with Hope for the Future” by Rod Starling
The Traveler’s Companion
The “Traveler’s Companion”, Union Playing Card Co., New York, c.1886.
Card Fabrique Company
Card Fabrique Company had connections with several other manufacturers and their complete history is...
Gangster playing cards
A small set of gangster and mafia inspired cards created by Jacob Reynolds.
American Bank Note Company
The American Bank Note Company was a long-established firm producing national currency, finely engra...
Perfection Playing Card Co.
Tip-Top No.350 playing cards manufactured by Perfection Playing Card Company, Philadelphia, c.1887
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...
Navy No.303
The second edition of 1883 has slightly larger indices and a more simplified Ace of Spades showing t...
Kalamazoo Playing Card Co
This firm commenced producing playing cards with the name Kalamazoo Paper Box & Card Co in 1903.
Steamboats No.66
Steamboats #66 playing cards manufactured by the Kalamazoo Paper Box & Card Co., c.1903.
Superior Steamboats No.9
This deck was of slightly superior quality than it's predecessor “National Steamboats No.9” and is e...
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...
U. S. A.
The manufacture of playing cards in America only began during the second half of the 18th century, a...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days