Miscellaneous Information
Corners
Rounded Started in 1864 by Samuel Hart. First used by Grimaud in 1861 from a French patent.
Square Stopped in late 1870s
Tax Stamps
1864-83
1894-1965
Gilding
Gold gilding ended about 1932 when the price of gold increased about 60%. Silver was used after that.
Corners
Rounded Started in 1864 by Samuel Hart. First used by Grimaud in 1861 from a French patent.
Square Stopped in late 1870s
Tax Stamps
1864-83
1894-1965
Gilding
Gold gilding ended about 1932 when the price of gold increased about 60%. Silver was used after that.
Types
Squeezers
New York Consolidated printed cards under the name Squeezer which referred to the way card players could cup and squeeze their cards in order to see the rank and pips.
Squeezers
New York Consolidated printed cards under the name Squeezer which referred to the way card players could cup and squeeze their cards in order to see the rank and pips.
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A Squeezer card and a regular card
Triplicates 1875
Andrew Dougherty first secured a patent for “Triplicates” in 1875, a novel type of indices with a miniature card in the top left-hand corner (and bottom right). There are several variations in the size and design of the “Triplicate” indices, with the smallest being the earliest.
Andrew Dougherty first secured a patent for “Triplicates” in 1875, a novel type of indices with a miniature card in the top left-hand corner (and bottom right). There are several variations in the size and design of the “Triplicate” indices, with the smallest being the earliest.
Indicators 1883
Andrew Dougherty's “Indicator” indices that were patented in 1883, that would have been just six years after the New York Consolidated Card Company obtained its own patent for “Squeezers”, which are more or less the same idea. It is difficult to understand what difference there was between NYCCC's “Squeezers” and Dougherty's “Indicators” that would warrant each company being granted patent rights at about the same time.
Indicators 1883
Andrew Dougherty's “Indicator” indices that were patented in 1883, that would have been just six years after the New York Consolidated Card Company obtained its own patent for “Squeezers”, which are more or less the same idea. It is difficult to understand what difference there was between NYCCC's “Squeezers” and Dougherty's “Indicators” that would warrant each company being granted patent rights at about the same time.
Card Quality Names
‘Moguls’, ‘Harrys’, ‘Highlanders’ and ‘Merry Andrews’ were names used in England from the 1700s until the early 1900s to designate card quality. Moguls being the highest and Merry Andrews the cheapest. In the United States, these were adopted by the early makers, who added their own American descriptions named ‘Eagle’ and later ‘Steamboats’. The low quality Steamboats were meant to be used for a short time and then discarded.
‘Moguls’, ‘Harrys’, ‘Highlanders’ and ‘Merry Andrews’ were names used in England from the 1700s until the early 1900s to designate card quality. Moguls being the highest and Merry Andrews the cheapest. In the United States, these were adopted by the early makers, who added their own American descriptions named ‘Eagle’ and later ‘Steamboats’. The low quality Steamboats were meant to be used for a short time and then discarded.
Jack Facts
The Jack of Hearts joins the Jack of Spades, both facing sideways, in being nicknamed a “one-eyed jack” since only one eye of their eyes is visible. They are also the only Jacks of the deck who have mustaches.
The Jack of Clubs is the only Jack with a feather in his crown, while the Jack of Hearts is holding one in his hand.
The Jacks all have yellow hair representing youthfulness, while the Queens and Kings have white hair for older adults.
The Jack of Hearts joins the Jack of Spades, both facing sideways, in being nicknamed a “one-eyed jack” since only one eye of their eyes is visible. They are also the only Jacks of the deck who have mustaches.
The Jack of Clubs is the only Jack with a feather in his crown, while the Jack of Hearts is holding one in his hand.
The Jacks all have yellow hair representing youthfulness, while the Queens and Kings have white hair for older adults.
Queen Facts
The Queen of Spades has a scepter and a flower whereas the other three Queens only hold a flower. Is this because in Tarot cards she represents a strong intelligent woman and the Spade suit denoted Royalty?
The Queen of Spades has a scepter and a flower whereas the other three Queens only hold a flower. Is this because in Tarot cards she represents a strong intelligent woman and the Spade suit denoted Royalty?
King Facts
The King of Diamonds is the only king not depicted carrying a sword. Interestingly, his hand is fully open and his axe is actually behind him.
The King of Hearts is the only four handed court card.
The King of Diamonds is the only king not depicted carrying a sword. Interestingly, his hand is fully open and his axe is actually behind him.
The King of Hearts is the only four handed court card.
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The King of Hearts is also called the "suicide king" because the sword he wields appears to cut into his head. Or does it? It is also debated as to whether or not the weapon, and the hand holding it, actually belongs to the king. If you look closely at the design patterns of the cuffs around his wrists and the sleeve color, it could indicate that someone else has stabbed him. Long live the King?
Best Bower/Imperial Bower 1868
The best bower is the highest-ranking card in the trump suit in the game of Euchre. It was created as a trump card for the game by Samuel Hart.
The best bower is the highest-ranking card in the trump suit in the game of Euchre. It was created as a trump card for the game by Samuel Hart.
The Joker (Not a Best Bower)
First Appearance was John J Levy's 1871 "Heathen Chinee" Joker in his Euchre deck. Used the same as a Best Bower.
For more of the story, go to my "The Joker" page the left.
The Joker (Not a Best Bower)
First Appearance was John J Levy's 1871 "Heathen Chinee" Joker in his Euchre deck. Used the same as a Best Bower.
For more of the story, go to my "The Joker" page the left.
Card Sizes
Wides refers to cards that are either modern poker cards or most pre-1920’s antique cards. Playing cards manufactured before approximately 1918 were done in a wider format (3" x 2.5"). These were designed to fit a gentleman’s hand as most card players were men. The exceptions were narrow cards (2.25" x 3.5") like North American Card Co.'s No. 42 Whist Club, National's Bijou #1, Tennis #144 & Whist # 175, Perfection's Monarch #365, etc. all, obviously, intended for the game of Whist in the 1890s. These were better suited for holding in a lady’s hand.
Card Back With A Person's Photo 1875
The Union Playing Card Comany (First appearance)
Card Sizes
Wides refers to cards that are either modern poker cards or most pre-1920’s antique cards. Playing cards manufactured before approximately 1918 were done in a wider format (3" x 2.5"). These were designed to fit a gentleman’s hand as most card players were men. The exceptions were narrow cards (2.25" x 3.5") like North American Card Co.'s No. 42 Whist Club, National's Bijou #1, Tennis #144 & Whist # 175, Perfection's Monarch #365, etc. all, obviously, intended for the game of Whist in the 1890s. These were better suited for holding in a lady’s hand.
Card Back With A Person's Photo 1875
The Union Playing Card Comany (First appearance)
Actress Lillian Russell
Photo/Souvenir Cards 1896
First appearance was in California by Alverson-Comstock.
Card Back With A Painting 1899
United States Playing Card Company's Congress playing card's Pictorial Series
First appearance was in California by Alverson-Comstock.
Card Back With A Painting 1899
United States Playing Card Company's Congress playing card's Pictorial Series
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Lacquer Card Backs 1881
Lacquer Card Backs 1881
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Air Cushion Card Surface 1906
Type of surface finish created by United States Playing Card Company. It is recognizable for its "dimples," a circular-shaped embossed pattern on the card's surface. By creating an un-even surface (like the surface of a golf ball), the airflow around the cards is increased, improving the shuffle feel of the cards.
Round/Circular Cards 1874
Air Cushion Card Surface 1906
Type of surface finish created by United States Playing Card Company. It is recognizable for its "dimples," a circular-shaped embossed pattern on the card's surface. By creating an un-even surface (like the surface of a golf ball), the airflow around the cards is increased, improving the shuffle feel of the cards.
Round/Circular Cards 1874
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Bridge Whist 1890s
Bridge Whist and Straight Bridge are new terms coined to distinguish the earliest form of Bridge that was played from 1890 in Paris from latter forms of Bridge which included bidding. The form of Bridge played in Paris in the 1890s that quickly replaced Whist in clubs of New York and England
Auction Bridge 1927
In 1925, on board the SS Finland, Harold Vanderbilt play tested his version of Contract Bridge, which has the same rules of bidding and play as Auction Bridge, but completely new Non-Vulnerable and Vulnerable scoring tables designed specifically for contract. After quickly becoming popular in Southampton and Newport, Vanderbilt's Contract Bridge was adopted by the Whist Club Of New York in 1927, and The Portland Club in 1929, and, by the end of that year, was the only game being played in the clubs of New York and London.
No Revoke Cards
"No revoke" playing cards are designed to help reduce eye strain and the risk of players accidentally committing a revoke in trick-taking games like Bridge and Whist.
"No revoke" cards typically replace the traditional red/black suits (hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs) with different colours, such as red, green, blue, and black so that the suits more easily recognizable during play.
