Navy No.303
The second edition of 1883 has slightly larger indices and a more simplified Ace of Spades showing two sailing ships.
Russell, Morgan & Co: “Navy No.303”, 1881
Right: detail from Joker showing the Monitor sinking →
Armed Services playing cards were prominent in Russell, Morgan & Co's range of titles. “Navy No.303” is the companion to “Army No.303” which was also first published in 1881 by Russell, Morgan & Co., Cincinnati. The picturesque Aces of Spades and Jokers were also embellished with battle scenes which tend to change over the years, and the Ace of Spades has the statue of Freedom in the centre.
Above: “Navy No.303” playing cards, Russell, Morgan & Co., c.1881. The Ace of Spades shows the battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac, with an early frigate in the background. The Joker shows the Monitor sinking.
The second edition of 1883 (below) has slightly larger indices, a more simplified Ace of Spades showing two sailing ships with a Joker caricaturing an early Army officer (who could be mistaken for a pirate!) The Joker originally designed for this deck shows a Tipsy Sailor, and this Army officer Joker was usually seen in the “Army No.303” decks, but there are instances where Jokers have been “cross pollinated” or switched between decks. Both brands were subsequently merged into an “Army & Navy #303” brand in c.1884.
Above: 'Navy No.303' playing cards, Russell & Morgan, Co., c.1883.
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
Member since January 09, 2013
View ArticlesRod Starling is one of the founding members of the 52 Plus Joker card collectors club. He has written many articles for the club's quarterly newsletter, Clear the Decks. His collection still encompasses both foreign and American decks. Rod has also authored a book titled The Art and Pleasures of Playing Cards.
Also by Rod Starling
Download as Adobe PDF files:
"Playing Card Art Collectors Extraordinaire"
"Shuffling Along With History"
"Steamboat Cards and the Mississippi Mystique"
Leave a Reply
Recommended
Gas Shortages
Screenprint designs on an ever-topical subject, designed and made by Sallie Chinkes, 1979.
Helmsley Hotels
Publicity pack for the Harley and Helmsley Hotels, U.S.A., c.1986.
Encarded First Edition by Paul Carpenter
The Encarded First Edition is a limited edition of 2,500 designed by Paul Carpenter and manufactured by the Expert Playing Card Company.
Bush Cards – The Second Term
Cards slanted to the right, issued to mark George W. Bush’s second term of office.
National Playing Cards by Theory11
Playing cards inspired by mysterious symbolism of secret societies as well as a tribute to the National Playing Card Co.
Monarchs Playing Cards by Theory11
Monarchs luxury playing cards by Theory11, featured in the film Now You See Me.
Nomad Luxury Playing Cards
Luxury playing cards produced by Theory11 in collaboration with The Nomad Hotel in New York City.
Alcatraz: Rules and Regulations Playing Cards
Rules and regulations that guided prison life in America’s most notorious prison.
Avengers Playing Cards by Theory11
Marvel’s Avengers: The Infinity Saga Premium Playing Cards produced by Theory11 and designed by Mattson Creative, 2021.
A. Dougherty’s Triplicate Recreation
A recreated of the original 1876, No. 18, Triplicate deck by A. Dougherty by Michael Scott in 2014.
Triangle Playing Cards
Triangle Playing Cards by Michael Scott.
Notched Construction Cards
Two Notched Construction Card Sets by Shackman & Co, N.Y. 1970s.
IBM Linux One
IBM Linux One playing cards, c.2018.
Spyscape
Spyscape espionage, surveillance and cryptography themed playing cards, 2018.
Lion Coffee
Lion Coffee Mother Goose card game, late 19th C.
Fortune Telling
Fortune Telling cards by Whitman Publishing Co., 1940.
Vargas Girls
‘Vargas Girls’ paintings by Alberto Vargas in a deck of cards published by Creative Playing Card Co Missouri.
Anma US Armed Forces
Anma US Armed Forces, 1942.
Curator
The Curator Deck with designs by Emmanuel José with suit symbols cleverly transformed into artistic designs.
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes deck with caricatures by Jeff Decker published by Gemaco Playing Card Co. 1989
Warren Paper Products
Warren Paper Products Co., Lafayette, Indiana, publishers of Built-Rite toys, games and puzzles.
Christmas Playing Cards
Christmas Playing Cards published by Novelty Playing Cards, Syracuse, New York, 1986.
Wrappers
Playing cards were traditionally sold inside paper wrappers, which were usually thrown away.
Hamm’s Beer
Hamm’s Beer promotion deck with bear cartoons by Frank M. Antoncich 1968.
Victory
“Victory" cards celebrating U.S. participation in the Allied victory, c.1945.
Maya Deck
The Maya Deck produced by Stancraft for Hoyle, 1976.
Caleb Bartlett
Caleb Bartlett patriotic deck (reproduction), around 1835-40.
Snap
Snap card game illustrated with animals, by Whitman Publishing Co., 1951.
Roundup
Roundup card game by Whitman Publishing, 1951.
Old Maid
Old Maid card game by Whitman Publishing Co., 1951.
Crazy Eights
Crazy Eights by Whitman Publishing Co., 1951.
Animal Rummy
Animal Rummy by Whitman Publishing Co., 1951.
Authors
Authors quartet game published by Whitman Publishing Co., 1951.
Whitman 8 Game Box
Whitman 8 Card Games boxed set, 1951.
Paddington
Paddington card game published in UK by Whitman.
Avilude or Game of Birds
Avilude or Game of Birds published by West & Lee, Worcester, Mass, c.1880.
Whitman card games
In the 1970s Whitman Publishing Co. ordered a series of popular games from Hong Kong for the UK market.
Timothy Curtis Art
Timothy Curtis Art custom Bicycle playing cards, 2018.
Hanky-Panky
Hanky-Panky poker card game, California, c.1975.
RCI Playing Cards
RCI Playing Cards, a 20th century playing-card maker of Minneapolis, 1969-1985.