Standard Playing Card Company
Standard Playing Card Co. started producing playing cards in c.1890 but was in business for only about four years before United States Playing Card Company acquired it in 1894.
Standard Playing Card Co., Chicago
Standard Playing Card Co. started producing playing cards in c.1890 but was in business for only about four years before the newly founded United States Playing Card Company acquired it in 1894. The Standard Playing Card Company continued operating as an independent company in Chicago, as shown on their Ace of Spades and packaging. The Aces of Spades did not normally carry a brand name, but over the years the Standard P.C.Co produced a large number of brand names which were identified on the boxes and wrappers and in some cases on a special Joker. As the name suggests, cards were mainly standard in appearance, with some colourful jokers and a range of pictorial back designs by contemporary designers and artists in brands such as ‘Society #1000’, ‘Peerless #304’ & ‘Austen Beauties’. Standard P.C.Co was also known to have produced novelty concave decks, patience and souvenir decks some of which were credited to a different publisher. The Bay State Card Co. became a part of the Standard Playing Card Company of Chicago in the early 1890s.
• See also: Peru Souvenir, c.1910 • New Era Concave Playing Cards.
The Bay State Card Co. became a part of the Standard Playing Card Company of Chicago in the early 1890s and thereby part of the U.S.P.C.C. fold in 1894.
Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Cards
1929 advert for Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Cards
Other Brands
The Standard Playing Card Co also had its own courts similar to those of U.S.P.C.C. in two sizes, but shortly after their take-over Standard P. C. Co packs had standard U.S.P.C.C. courts.
This “Park Lane” deck was made by Standard Playing Card Company, Chicago, c.1925, as a souvenir/advertising deck for the Park Lane Apartments which was actually an apartment hotel located at 299 Park Avenue, one of the most expensive parts of Manhattan. It was a very posh establishment that catered to a clientèle that appreciated the finer niceties of life and could afford them.
Decks were presented in individual boxes housed in an outer double box.
Unfortunately, it is now not only closed but the original building was demolished and replaced by a 47 story office building that opened in 1967.
By Rod Starling (1936-2023)
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.
Leave a Reply
Your Name
Just nowRelated Articles
Covered bridges playing cards
Historical covered bridges with photography by Bill Miller, 2006.
Motherpeace Round Tarot
An original and imaginative feminist tarot based on Goddess energy.
Victorian playing cards
54 different card designs including people, animals, flowers, costumes and ornaments popular during ...
Crown Hill playing cards
Crown Hill playing cards with illustrations by Corrine Guiney, USA,
O-Shlemiel card game
O-Shlemiel card game with Yiddish words and phrases.
Hesslers Four-Colour “No Revoke” Deck
Hesslers Maiden Back Four-Colour “No Revoke” Deck, with enhanced visibility and a traditional look. ...
The Heart Deck™
Useful information about heart health on every card.
Star Trek® – The Original Series
Promotional pack for CIC Video with characters and starships from the original series of Star Trek. ...
Colonial Art
A collection of 53 pieces of art showcasing detailed scenes from early American colonial life.
Animal Kingdom
Crafted by Hatch Design and benefitting the World Wildlife Fund, animal heads replace the traditiona...
Classification of Numeral Card Designs in French-suited packs
The classification of numeral cards in French-suited packs, covering various pip designs in over 400...
Warner Bros 100th Anniversary
An array of famous characters from Warner Bros films in celebration of the company’s centenary.
Go Green playing cards
Suggestions how to “go green” and help combat the impact of climate change.
North American wildlife playing cards
From humid wetlands to frozen tundra, the wildlife in North America is extremely diverse.
Hummingbirds of the Americas
Colour photographs of hummingbirds with data about each species to aid recognition.
Seashells playing cards
Each card shows colour photo of a different seashell for easy identification.
Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here.