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Playing Card Chat ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦ => The Source - Card Collecting 101 => Topic started by: 52plusjoker on December 24, 2013, 08:33:49 PM

Title: Catalog of Vintage/Antique Card Backs
Post by: 52plusjoker on December 24, 2013, 08:33:49 PM
Seems to be a lot of interest in Bee decks on this Forum. As a thought - let's see how many different backs there have been since the first deck in 1892. As a start, here is a page from an price list of New York Consolidated Card Co. I imagine there'll be a few surprises there for everyone. Let's hope we wake up in the morning and find a mint Bee deck in our stocking. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Title: Re: Bee Cards
Post by: jmrock on December 24, 2013, 08:49:26 PM
Wow, Wow, and Wow again!!! Just amazing… I know that I certainly have so much more to learn, as do we all, but I could never have imagined to see such history… Just fantastic Tom… I like every one more than the next… They're just fantastic… I would guess that they're next to non-existent in a complete, sealed deck format… You and Judy are very blessed to have such gems in your collection…
Title: Re: Bee Cards
Post by: 52plusjoker on December 24, 2013, 08:57:52 PM
You're right - hard to find an old one in decent shape. We have a wonderful collection of PC makers' ephemera - we seemed to take an interest in 35 or so years ago when hardly anybody wanted it. This type of ephemera is so hard to find now. Over time we'll share more and more of what we have so everyone can enjoy it.
Title: Re: Bee Cards
Post by: 10ofclubs on December 24, 2013, 09:38:07 PM
Those are awesome! Do we have any idea on how many of these decks are printed? I particularly like the one with clocks.
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: WKalush on December 30, 2013, 11:44:56 AM
Seems to be a lot of interest in Bee decks on this Forum. As a thought - let's see how many different backs there have been since the first deck in 1892. As a start, here is a page from an price list of New York Consolidated Card Co. I imagine there'll be a few surprises there for everyone. Let's hope we wake up in the morning and find a mint Bee deck in our stocking. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I think I've tracked down most of them (with much help from Tom and Judy and others). The price lists are especially helpful as they show what comes in and then goes and are dated. What is the date on the one you scanned Tom?

bk
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: 52plusjoker on December 30, 2013, 12:49:51 PM
Will have to look when back home in a day or two for the date.
What we need is a new category where we can store for reference all kinds of info useful to collectors. Lists of backs from certain brands being one of these.
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: Don Boyer on December 30, 2013, 08:37:48 PM
Will have to look when back home in a day or two for the date.
What we need is a new category where we can store for reference all kinds of info useful to collectors. Lists of backs from certain brands being one of these.

We can create a daughterboard of "A Cellar of Fine Vintages" that has reference data such as this.  I'll do that later from work.
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: 52plusjoker on December 31, 2013, 07:13:40 AM
Let's hang on a few days and figure what would go in it - like to get Lee's thoughts as well.
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: jmrock on January 10, 2014, 11:14:47 PM
This example is apparently from the Steve Forte Collection… It's supposed to be exceptionally rare… Is anyone familiar with this design?
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: jmrock on January 10, 2014, 11:19:49 PM
As a side note, rather than starting a new topic, since this is Bee related, I thought I'd post a pic of a fun piece of what appears to be a vintage advertising card… It measures roughly 5"X7" and has a cardboard kickstand in the back…
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: 52plusjoker on January 11, 2014, 11:13:40 AM
Will have to look when back home in a day or two for the date.
What we need is a new category where we can store for reference all kinds of info useful to collectors. Lists of backs from certain brands being one of these.

We can create a daughterboard of "A Cellar of Fine Vintages" that has reference data such as this.  I'll do that later from work.
Will get on to this in the Source next week.
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: 52plusjoker on January 11, 2014, 11:15:32 AM
As a side note, rather than starting a new topic, since this is Bee related, I thought I'd post a pic of a fun piece of what appears to be a vintage advertising card… It measures roughly 5"X7" and has a cardboard kickstand in the back…
Nice piece - likely the 1930 's.  Have seen similar.
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: Don Boyer on January 11, 2014, 01:42:00 PM
Will have to look when back home in a day or two for the date.
What we need is a new category where we can store for reference all kinds of info useful to collectors. Lists of backs from certain brands being one of these.

We can create a daughterboard of "A Cellar of Fine Vintages" that has reference data such as this.  I'll do that later from work.
Will get on to this in the Source next week.

I'll do it right now.  Takes only a second.
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: WKalush on January 14, 2014, 05:57:34 PM
This example is apparently from the Steve Forte Collection… It's supposed to be exceptionally rare… Is anyone familiar with this design?

That's the Bee back 250 ca. 1913. There are rarer ones. Has anyone seen a card or a pack of Bee back 217?

bk
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: 52plusjoker on January 14, 2014, 07:38:15 PM
Still looking for my NYCC price lists et al. Gotta be around somewhere!
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: WKalush on January 14, 2014, 11:29:57 PM
Still looking for my NYCC price lists et al. Gotta be around somewhere!

I think you sold them to me!
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: 52plusjoker on January 15, 2014, 08:23:05 AM
Still looking for my NYCC price lists et al. Gotta be around somewhere!

I think you sold them to me!
Yikes - that explains it! :(
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: Pip Nosher on January 30, 2014, 09:59:12 AM
The same NY Consolidated Card Co. scrapbook I mentioned in the Oak Leaf discussion has some interesting Bee backs and related items. As soon as I get around to scanning those pages I will post some pictures here.
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: WKalush on January 30, 2014, 03:19:14 PM
I'd like to see that scrapbook. Want to meet for coffee?

bk
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: spindles on March 27, 2014, 09:08:55 PM
Back No. 207 wouldn't exactly be considered politically correct today, would it? Now, that'd be an interesting topic--former mainstream decks that wouldn't be sold today. I'm new, so perhaps there even is one already. Great original photo of the Bees!
Title: Re: Bee Cards - Let's Catalog the Backs
Post by: Don Boyer on March 27, 2014, 11:33:30 PM
Back No. 207 wouldn't exactly be considered politically correct today, would it? Now, that'd be an interesting topic--former mainstream decks that wouldn't be sold today. I'm new, so perhaps there even is one already. Great original photo of the Bees!

There's been a few decks over the years that would fit that description.  Sometimes it's the back design, often it's the jokers.
Title: Antique Playing Card Backs project.
Post by: Cryptocard27 on April 17, 2014, 08:54:44 PM
I would want to open a new subject  that is very close to my heart, concerning a project about antique playing cards which I would like to realize.

I wish to combine in an article or a booklet, most of the backs which were used by several us playing card makers.

I have already begun this work and for the moment, it concerns the standard monotone and antique backs.

I attached some pictures of the names of back which I have now. I know that I am lacking a lot of names or back design and for that reason, I would like to ask your help, because I can not do it alone.

If you are volunteer to help me, if you have interesting information, scan, ephemera, and if you wish to share them for this project, you are really welcome. I think that it would be really enriching that several people can participate.

If you have ideas, remarks, advice to create that, please feel free.
The last photo corresponds to the books which could certainly be very useful to facilitate the development of the project.
Title: Re: Antique Playing Card Backs project.
Post by: Don Boyer on April 17, 2014, 11:31:57 PM
I would want to open a new subject  that is very close to my heart, concerning a project about antique playing cards which I would like to realize.

I wish to combine in an article or a booklet, most of the backs which were used by several us playing card makers.

I have already begun this work and for the moment, it concerns the standard monotone and antique backs.

I attached some pictures of the names of back which I have now. I know that I am lacking a lot of names or back design and for that reason, I would like to ask your help, because I can not do it alone.

If you are volunteer to help me, if you have interesting information, scan, ephemera, and if you wish to share them for this project, you are really welcome. I think that it would be really enriching that several people can participate.

If you have ideas, remarks, advice to create that, please feel free.
The last photo corresponds to the books which could certainly be very useful to facilitate the development of the project.

We already have one topic that's covering Bee antique backs.  I'm going to combine the two.

You're definitely in the right place to kick such a project off!
Title: Re: Antique Playing Card Backs project.
Post by: Cryptocard27 on April 18, 2014, 03:45:48 AM

We already have one topic that's covering Bee antique backs.  I'm going to combine the two.

You're definitely in the right place to kick such a project off!

Thank you Don for the movement and sorry to have create a new subject for that..
Title: Re: Antique Playing Card Backs project.
Post by: Don Boyer on April 18, 2014, 06:32:48 PM

We already have one topic that's covering Bee antique backs.  I'm going to combine the two.

You're definitely in the right place to kick such a project off!

Thank you Don for the movement and sorry to have create a new subject for that..

No need for apologies.  If we can make a dent in a project that size, that would be fantastic.
Title: Re: Catalog of Vintage/Antique Card Backs
Post by: 52plusjoker on April 19, 2014, 08:24:56 AM
The Conjuring Arts Research Center has a project underway to catalog backs from the early USA makers. Also Jackson Robinson is working on a major project called the Card Guild which is attempting to build a database of old USPC decks including the backs for each brand.

These are huge undertakings and Judy and I have agreed to add whatever knowledge and information we have to these projects. It would be a great idea Cryptocard if you could contact Bill Kalush at CARC and Jackson and offer to add your knowledge and information to their efforts.
Title: Re: Antique Playing Card Backs project.
Post by: spindles on July 26, 2014, 02:11:09 PM
I wish to combine in an article or a booklet, most of the backs which were used by several us playing card makers.

While I am new to collecting, I am a museum studies grad who loves historical research. Please let me know if you ever need help researching something.

Best of luck with your project.
Title: Re: Catalog of Vintage/Antique Card Backs
Post by: Calumcards on October 03, 2015, 03:02:28 PM
Thats awesome! I'm not sure if this deck is bee, but i found it somewhere and was wondering if anyone knows what it is.
Title: Re: Catalog of Vintage/Antique Card Backs
Post by: Cryptocard27 on October 12, 2015, 11:38:26 AM
Thats awesome! I'm not sure if this deck is bee, but i found it somewhere and was wondering if anyone knows what it is.

It is not a Bee deck but the second back (Shield) of the Helmet #119 deck, pictured in the Hochman Encyclopedia p. 102. I have one copy in my collection, pictured below, with the other back (Helmet).
Title: Catalog of Vintage/Antique Card
Post by: PoMa K on October 12, 2017, 02:20:12 PM
norsk - Yes, I tried to look up their regs, it looks like 1841 is still antique so that is what I am trying to do - find somebody down under who can ship:
Going to their boards seems like a great idea, thank you
Would you happen to know their boards website?
Title: Re: Catalog of Vintage/Antique Card Backs
Post by: Dufus on June 29, 2019, 10:23:08 AM
The Conjuring Arts Research Center has a project underway to catalog backs from the early USA makers. Also Jackson Robinson is working on a major project called the Card Guild which is attempting to build a database of old USPC decks including the backs for each brand.

These are huge undertakings and Judy and I have agreed to add whatever knowledge and information we have to these projects. It would be a great idea Cryptocard if you could contact Bill Kalush at CARC and Jackson and offer to add your knowledge and information to their efforts.

Has there been any progress?  Has there been a 'backs' page added to this site?  As a collector, I have many decks that need more info about their backs and I'm always struggling to find information on back designs. 
Title: Re: Catalog of Vintage/Antique Card Backs
Post by: Don Boyer on July 02, 2019, 11:37:54 AM
The Conjuring Arts Research Center has a project underway to catalog backs from the early USA makers. Also Jackson Robinson is working on a major project called the Card Guild which is attempting to build a database of old USPC decks including the backs for each brand.

These are huge undertakings and Judy and I have agreed to add whatever knowledge and information we have to these projects. It would be a great idea Cryptocard if you could contact Bill Kalush at CARC and Jackson and offer to add your knowledge and information to their efforts.

Has there been any progress?  Has there been a 'backs' page added to this site?  As a collector, I have many decks that need more info about their backs and I'm always struggling to find information on back designs.

Have you tried contacting Jackson Robinson or Bill Kalush? Those two seem to be the one spearheading the effort so it would make the most sense to reach out to them.