The Traveler’s Companion

The “Traveler’s Companion”, Union Playing Card Co., New York, c.1886

This set was one of Union P. C. Co’s specialties and contained 2 rolls of small poker chips to play on trains, etc. The ace of spades has the initials U.P.C.Co in the centre. The courts are similar to those used by Russell & Morgan. The Joker is unusual in that it is not denominated as such nor does it carry any marking to indicate that it is a joker and finally, it does not carry any indication of the brand name of the deck or that of the manufacturer.

Above: The “Traveler’s Companion”, Union Playing Card Co., New York, c.1886. Images courtesy Rod Starling.

REFERENCES & CREDITS

Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000

Lodge, Ken: The Standard English Pattern (second revised and enlarged edition), Bungay, Suffolk, 2010

We are grateful to Rod Starling for generously sharing knowledge and images of cards and from his collection.