No.500 Playing Cards
No.500 Playing Cards published by U.S.P.C.C., c.1910
No. 500 Playing Cards
The brand was originally patented in 1896 by U.S.P.C.C. but published by the National Card Co as “Full House Poker Cards #555” as a 60-card deck plus a Joker, including the regular 52 cards plus 11 & 12 pip cards. The Joker features Brownies as were popularized at the time by Palmer Cox, a writer of children's stories. The brand was carried through into the U.S.P.C.C. range and re-named “500” and the deck was increased to 62 cards with the addition of two 13 pip cards.
Over the years there were variations in the design and lettering on the box, Ace of Spades and Joker. This set includes an extra card called “Avondale Schedule for 500” which is dated 1906.
Above: No.500 Playing Cards published by U.S.P.C.C., c.1910. This edition has swastike back design, symbol of good luck. Images courtesy Greg Alonzo.
REFERENCES
Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
Related Articles
New York City souvenir
New York City souvenir playing cards with 53 different views of interest, USA, 1915.
Nile Fortune cards
Nile Fortune cards no.68x published by the United States Playing Card Company, USA, 1904.
Hawaiian Souvenir playing cards
Hawaiian Souvenir playing cards, 1901.
Timothy Curtis Art
Timothy Curtis Art custom Bicycle playing cards, 2018.
Bicycle Heritage
Bicycle Heritage playing cards by the United States Playing Card Company, 2012
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley playing cards published by The United States Playing Card Company, c.2002.
35: More Design Copies
Here I want to take another widely copied design and see how individual variation by the copier can ...
Ye Witches’ No.62 Fortune Cards
Ye Witches Fortune Telling Cards published by the United States Playing Card Co., 1896. 52 cards + J...
Hustling Joe
Hustling Joe himself appears on the Ace of Spaces dressed in red.
Stage Playing Cards, 1908
This beautiful deck features an oval half-tone photo of a theatre star on each card, many of them le...
Norwood #85, c.1909
The deck features a colourful Ace of Spades and Joker, decorated Aces, unique courts and two beautif...
Panama Souvenir Playing Cards
Several editions of Panama Souvenir Playing Cards were issued by the USPCC between 1908 - 1926. The ...
Congress No.606
Congress Playing Cards were first produced by the Russell & Morgan Company in 1881 as the finest and...
Bicycle No.808 - page 2
The famous 'Bicycle' playing cards were first introduced by Russell & Morgan Printing Co in 1885. Th...
Bicycle Seconds
Bicycle 808 Seconds playing cards manufactured by The United States Playing Card Co, Cincinnati and ...
Bicycle No.808
The famous Bicycle playing cards were first introduced by Russell & Morgan Printing Co in 1885. More...
Historic Boston and Vicinity
Historic Boston and Vicinity Souvenir Playing Cards, 1900 & 1909.
The United States Playing Card Company
Over the years the pressures of competition and other market forces have led to many smaller manufac...
U. S. A.
The manufacture of playing cards in America only began during the second half of the 18th century, a...
Naipes No. 71 Los Leones
Naipes No. 71 Los Leones by The United States Playing Card Co., c.1900.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
