Seaboard Air Line Railway souvenir playing cards

The “seaboard” in question is the Atlantic coast of the USA. This particular railroad company, which existed between 1900 and 1967, operated services mainly between Virginia and Florida, but also including North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, with a branch to Birmingham, Alabama. All of these states are represented among the 53 different oval photos to be found in this pack. The back shows orange blossoms on a tan background with a circle in the centre with the wording “Seaboard Air Line Railway” and a red heart containing the words “Through the Heart of the South”. The cards have gilt edges. The box exists both with and without the price stamped on it. See the box►

The inclusion of “Air Line” in the name of the railway comes from the fact that, in the days before air travel, “air line” was a common term for the shortest distance between two points, i.e., a straight line drawn through the air (or on a map), ignoring natural obstacles. Hence, a number of 19th and early 20th century railroads used “air line” in their titles to suggest that their routes were shorter than those of competing companies.

Above: Seaboard Air Line Railway souvenir playing cards made by USPC Co., USA, c1910. 52 cards + 1 Joker in telescopic box. Size: 63 x 88 mm. The cards have gilt edges.

REFERENCE

Dawson, Tom and Judy. The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, p.268, no. SR27.