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Topics - Cryptocard27

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Hi all,

I would like to show you an antique deck of cards that has been sold recently en eBay. I find it really beautiful : The Russell & Morgan Co. Cincinnati, Cabinet No. 707 Progressive Euchre Cards. It's extremely rare to find it with its original wrapper.

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A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Antique Russell & Morgan Sylph Back
« on: February 21, 2016, 05:24:25 PM »
In November 2015, a Russell & Morgan deck "Army & Navy" was sold on eBay. Can anyone here have a copy with the same back please? I would very much like to see other pictures of this back in good quality if possible This back also appears (in the lower-right) on the price list pictured below and the official name of the back is Sylph.

3
I recently found the antique Patent of February 16, 1864 for the Continental Playing Cards made by Servetus Longley. There are the figures of several cards but also the hand-written descriptive letter. We can read some names such as Martha Washington, General Washington or Moll Pitcher but they were already identified for the deck. However, there are apparently two unknown cards (Anchors Queen [Fig.7] and Anchors Jack [Fig.11]). If you have their names, please do not hesitate to share. Thank you, Max

The courts are as follows:

Sabers (RED)

K: General Nathanael Greene (1742-1786)
Q: Susan Bache (maybe Sarah Franklin “Sally” Bache 1744-1808)
J: Sergeant Major John Champe (1752-1798)

Cannons (BLACK)

K: General Henry Knox (1750-1806)
Q: Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley alias Molly Pitcher (1754-1832)
J: Sergeant William Jasper (1750-1779)

Bugles (RED)

K: General George Washington (1732-1799)
Q: Martha (Dandridge Custis) Washington (1731-1802)
J: Thomas Burch (unknown)

Anchors (BLACK)

K: Commandant John Paul Jones (1749-1792)
Q: Name missing [Fig. 7 on the attached Patent image]
J:  Name missing because unlabeled [Fig. 11 on the Patent image]

4
This week, a fabulous and extremely rare deck of 32 cards (Les Cartes Indiennes à Paris) was sold on eBay for 3,136€ (approximately $3,403). The photos are also attached below but here is the link of the deck:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rarissime-jeu-de-cartes-anciennes-Les-cartes-indiennes-a-Paris-XVIII-XIX-eme-/141839716145?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=dFFYmLXIonJ4xxAfe8EQuzCdKkc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

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Playing Card Plethora / Can you help me concerning one deck?
« on: November 19, 2015, 07:50:49 PM »
Hi,

I have a problem with a deck. Some times ago, I bought all the Michael Scott Mauger decks. However, I received only decks with gold edges for the red model. Did you receive a red air-cushion deck without gold edges with your order please?

Thank you in advance.

6
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Who was Willis Wilmington Russell
« on: November 17, 2015, 05:43:57 PM »
Willis W. Russell was an interesting character in the playing card world. But contrary to what one might think, he was not only the son of Anthony Octavius Russell, but was also connected for a while with the factory of his father. Here's his story.

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Picture 1: Rare one-way Back made by the N.Y Consolidated Card Co. for the Squeezers #35 deck
Picture 2: Abraham Hart
Picture 3: Charles Henry Hart
Picture 4: Charles Henry Hart

Samuel Hart, a legend in the history of American Playing Cards, was born in Philadelphia in 1818. When a youth he was employed in the auction rooms of the Messrs. Thomas and became later in life widely known as the maker of playing cards.  Coming from a long line of stationers and booksellers, Hart became acquainted with the business of paper and stationery manufacture from an early age. Hart’s immediate family had been in the business since 1831. His extended family also had similar business interests, having stores and proprietorships extending all the way from Philadelphia to New York.

Beginning his career working as an apprentice for his uncle, Lewis Joseph Cohen, Hart got his start in the family stationer business in New York City. He was made vice president of the Consolidated Card Company when that organization was formed in New York. He was also president of the Peerless Brick Company and was at one time a director of the American District Telegraph Company.

Hart was married to Julia (Leavey) Hart and leaves a son and three daughters. He died on Tuesday night of June 2, 1885, from congestion of the lungs, at his residence, 1819 Chestnut Street and was sixty-seven years of age at the time of his death.

The son of Samuel Hart, named Charles Henry Hart, was a lawyer, art critic and historian. Born in Philadelphia, February 4, 1847, he was also a nephew of Abraham Hart (1810-1885), once a well-known publisher of Philadelphia. On the paternal side he was of Dutch descent. His mother, who was native of London, England, was of English ancestry on her father’s side. Her mother was the daughter of a Frenchman named Andrade whose wife was a Spanish lady named Rodriquez.

The early education of Charles Henry Hart was acquired in private schools and under the direction of special tutors. His legal studies were pursued in the office of Hon. Samuel H. Perkins, and also in the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1869, having been admitted to the Bar in November of the previous year.

For twenty-five years he practiced law in Philadelphia, rising rapidly in the profession and acquiring a reputation as an able and conscientious councilor. In early 1894 a serious railroad accident so disabled him as to necessitate his confinement within doors for a period of two years, which finally resulted in his permanent withdrawal from practice.

After his recovery he devoted his time to literature and art, in both of which he had been a close student from his youth. Not only was he one of the best known art critics in America, but may be said to have been a pioneer in the appreciation of the art of America portraits painters. He was recognized on both sides of the Atlantic as an expert in historical portraits, his judgment having several times been adopted by the National Portrait Gallery of London. He was an earnest advocate of the superiority of English art to that of the French, and to his endeavors may be largely attributed the present high appreciation in the United States of the works of English artists.

He was director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1882-1902, and as chairman of the exhibition committee instituted in 1887 the first exhibition of historical portraits in this country. In 1903 he served as chairman of the committee on retrospective art at the World’s Columbian Exposition. In 1889 he was appointed a member of the committee of fifty to arrange the celebration in New York City of the centennial anniversary of the inauguration of Pres. Washington, being the only non-resident thus honored.

He was a member of the American Historical Association, the historical societies of Massachusetts, Maine, Long Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, etc.; the New England Historical and Genealogical Society, the Essex Institute, Philadelphia Society of Etchers, and the Academy of Natural Sciences. He was the author of articles upon Philadelphia in the Encyclopedia Britannica (1885-1903), and also of: “Bibliographia Lincolniana”; “Life Portraits of Great Americans”; “Portraits of Washington” and many others.

Charles Henry Hart was thrice married: First on November 16, 1869 to Armine, daughter of John Nixon; on February 16, 1905 to Marianne Livingston, daughter of William Lacy Phillips, of Philadelphia and on December 7, 1912, to Anita, daughter of Senor Don Alfonso Gonzales y Arabe, of Sevilla, Spain. There was one son by the second marriage, Charles Henry Hart, Jr.

The son of Samuel Hart died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1918.

8
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / [Early Makers] James Yorke Humphreys
« on: November 06, 2015, 03:46:04 PM »
If you are interested to discover a little more about one of the first American playing card manufacturers, I have attached the biography of James Yorke Humphreys that I recently completed.

9
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Vintage 1990 Bicycle "It" Deck
« on: November 06, 2015, 01:30:52 PM »
Do you know if the Bicycle deck used in the "It" television film based on Stephen King's novel was really printed by the United States playing Card Company or if the clown is just a sticking on the card back for the needs of the movie?

Otherwise, I know that some collector's items of movies are auctioned. Maybe one of you have this deck in his collection?

Thank you

10
Here is a collection of images collected in antique american newspapers (1891-1892).

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A Cellar of Fine Vintages / [Auction] Rare Playing Cards
« on: October 22, 2015, 03:00:34 AM »
I give you the link of an online Freeman's auction with extremely rare playing cards:

"Books, Maps and Manuscripts" - October 22, 2015, 10:00 AM EST

Auction page:

http://auctions.freemansauction.com/infinitebidding.asp?method=getUpcomingAuctions&tokenID=3008378&custno=&lang=en-us

eBay seller:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ssn=freemansauction&item=221913657507&_osacat=0&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.Xplaying+cards.TRS0&_nkw=playing+cards&_sacat=0

In order to bid you must be registered on the Freeman's auction.

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A Cellar of Fine Vintages / [Gallery] Bicycle and USPCC advertisements
« on: October 20, 2015, 02:28:07 PM »
Here is a small collection of images collected in antique american newspapers:

1: 1890 - USPCC Playing Cards
2: 1893 - Bicycle Gold Medal
3: 1893 - Bicycle Hands
4: 1893 - Special Bicycle Pack
5: 1894 - Bicycle Card Backs

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Playing Card Plethora / White Lions [Series A] Red
« on: October 18, 2015, 12:15:52 PM »
Hi Everyone!

Please, I need to ask for your help concerning one deck in my collection. Some times ago, I bought a White Lions Series A Blue and a little later, I also wanted to have the White Lions Series A Red and I found a copy on eBay. But in fact there are apparently two different Series A "Red" versions issued with (exactly?) the same box. The first one would have the blue back and the second would be red. At the time of my purchase, I really wanted a White Lions Series A with the real red back so, my question is this: Do you know with these two pictures if my copy to the right is the real red version please?

Can you explain me the difference between these two decks? Especially why they put a deck with blue back in a red box? I really do not understand that!

Thank you in advance

14
Playing Card Plethora / Bicycle Series 1800 V1 and V2
« on: October 16, 2015, 09:33:21 AM »
I hope that I post in the right place. Sorry if the question was already solved but I tried to make a search on the forum and I have not found the answer. When I started my collection in 2011, I bought four Bicycle Series 1800 in two different shops and I received two different versions. With the pictures of boxes, you can see that the versions are completely different but I still don't know what are the real differences of these two versions. Now, I think that the V1 with the red Ace of Spades on the blue box and the barcode is less common but I am not sure. I just know that I bought the "Performace Coating" (with the error for the word performance) version a little later but long before the publication of the Marked V3 by Ellusionist. Do you have any information please?


15
How about antique cabinets to store and display your playing card collection in beautiful drawers and window displays? Some time ago, I won an antique Apollo #33 deck made by the National playing Card Co. This blue copy is "sealed" with a tax stamp intact and protected in advertising leather box, initially addressed to "J. D. Warren Mfg Co", Chicago USA.

With a bit of research, I found some information and "J. D. Warren Mfg Company" was in the manufacture of Hardware store equipments, oak cabinets, boxes, cases, drawers, etc., in Chicago, in the early 1900s. When I received the Apollo deck, I considered it very nice already, but by seeing some of the products made by J. D. Warren, I also discovered a very interesting company with fabulous items that could even be useful to store a playing card collection (with sufficient place ;)) !!

I attached some pictures of the deck and the company below.
Crypto

16
I recently found on the web a copy of the Transparent Playing Cards made by Jean Michaud (Hochman O20a). The box indicates the full name "Jean Michaud et Fils" and an address located in Paris, "19, Rue de la Banque". Michaud seems to be a French manufacturer. Do you have more info about that? The box is really nice!!
Crypto

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A Cellar of Fine Vintages / A favorite Grimaud deck - Hochman L18a
« on: December 22, 2014, 09:23:57 AM »
My favorite B.P Grimaud deck is the Hochman L18a. There are many different versions of this deck but every copy is very rare today. The original engraved Joker was only replaced in the last versions by a more common but all other copies with the engraved Ace and Joker were made in Square and Round Corners, with plain or ornamented backs.

I hope you enjoy the pics. The first three copies with the numbered wrappers are preserved with the Georges Marteau collection in France.

Picture 1 : n°70 - Square Corners
Picture 2 : n°79 - Round Corners
Picture 3 : n°100 - Square Corners
Picture 4 : A more recent version, with a blue back and a different joker


Another nice private version and a complete comparison with the Card Fabrique deck on this link :
http://www.dxpo-playingcards.com/jokers/grimaud_vs_card_fabrique.htm

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A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Antique USPCC Window Displays
« on: December 09, 2014, 11:44:01 AM »
In the 1900s, the playing card displays were very popular. Indeed, the US Playing Card Company sold window displays, competitions were organized and several prizes distributed to the participants. For the best window displays, the USPCC often offered the following prizes :

$200 for the best display in any size window
$100 for the second, in any size window
$50 for the third
$25 for the fourth
$10 each for the next five best displays, in any size
$5 each for the next five best displays


I found an antique USPCC advertising which give all the details of these interesting and motivating offers.

Other pictures below correspond to the various displays at that time, with associated articles to describe the winners.

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My last researches concerning the antique american playing cards allowed me to discover the face of interesting personalities such as Samuel J. Murray and Elias Longley. You will find below, the pictures that I collected, accompanied with articles about these people.

Publication date of articles and pictures :   

Elias Longley (Longley & Brothers) : 1894
Arthur L. Hatch (The National Playing Card Co.) : 1897
Andrew Dougherty : 1901
Horace M. Johnson (Andrew Dougherty) : 1901
Stanley Cohen (NY Consolidated Playing Card Co.) : 1901

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A Cellar of Fine Vintages / [Gallery] Antique Playing Card Price Lists
« on: September 10, 2014, 11:27:22 AM »
I found recently several antique price lists with the pictures below. Could you help me to complete that and post here other antique lists please ? For example, I am very interested to see : Lawrence & Cohen, John J Levy,  Perfection PCC, National Card Co (with the Owls deck if possible), or other of the same factories already pictured.
Thank you in advance.
Crypto

1870 - Samuel Hart, Isaac Levy Price List
1879 - Victor E. Mauger Price List
1890 - Caterson & Brotz Price List
1890 - The Russell & Morgan Printing Co. Price List
1894 - The United States Printing Company Price List

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A Cellar of Fine Vintages / The Russell & Morgan partnership
« on: September 03, 2014, 02:01:42 PM »
I did a bit research recently and I am very pleased to show you today, the portraits and biographies of the members of Russell & Morgan partnership. I personally think that it's really remarkable to see again today and in spite of the time passed, the face and the story of these people who have played a great role in the development of Playing Cards, more than one hundred years ago.
I hope you enjoy it!

1/ Anthony Octavius "Pick" Russell (1826-1900):

Birth: Dec. 4, 1826, Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut, USA
Death: Apr. 8, 1900, Norwood (Hamilton County), Ohio, USA

He was born in Southington, Connecticut, December 4th, 1826. His father was a tinner by trade. When Anthony was four years of age, the family removed from Southington to McConnellsville, Morgan County, Ohio. At the age of eleven years Anthony 0. was appointed to learn the printer's trade. After seven years of service, and when he had attained the age of eighteen years, he was allowed to go free, having mastered the principles of his trade. From Cincinnati he journeyed to New Orleans where he commenced work on the Delta. In 1848 cholera broke out in that city, and Mr. Russell, to avoid the plague, took up his residence once more in Cincinnati. Here he secured work in the Commercial job-rooms. Although Mr. Russell fled from New Orleans to escape the cholera, he nevertheless carried the seeds of the virulent disease with him, and was suddenly stricken down while walking the streets of Cincinnati. Under the care of skillful physicians he finally recovered. After regaining his health he concluded to try his fortune again in the South, and located at Louisville, Kentucky. He only made a brief stay in Louisville, however, but returned to Cincinnati, where he obtained work in the job-rooms of the Enquirer. His course in the Enquirer job-rooms did not run smoothly, however, for he had some disagreement with the management, and abandoned the printing business altogether. From that time he became a pilot on the Ohio River, and for four years followed that business between Cincinnati and St. Louis. He learned to know the channel thoroughly, and was regarded as one of the best pilots on the river. Mr. Russell was soon offered the position of foreman of the Bulletin job-rooms at Memphis, Tennessee, which he accepted and continued to hold for the space of three years. Although living in the South, Mr. Russell did not view with Southern eyes the question of slavery, and, being always of an outspoken nature, his freely expressed opinions on that subject sometimes got him into trouble. He arrived in Cincinnati on Sunday, and less than twenty-four hours afterward, was mustered in as captain of Company G, 6th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Russell enlisted for three years' service; but after two years he was promoted to the rank of major, and as such rendered efficient aid and displayed great bravery throughout the remainder of the war. After the close of the war Mr. Russell took charge of the Enquirer job-rooms, and in 1867, in association with Robert J. Morgan, John Robinson, and James M. Armstrong, bought out the owners of the Enquirer job-rooms, and founded the Russell & Morgan Company, now known as the Russell & Morgan Printing Company, which is probably the largest and most renowned printing establishment of its kind in the United States. In 1891 the United States Printing Company was organized, with Mr. Russell as president, and Mr. Joseph E. Hinds, of Brooklyn, New York, vice-president. These companies give employment to between 1,950 and 2,000 men, and have two factories in Cincinnati, one in Indianapolis, one in Brooklyn, New York, and one in Montclair, New Jersey. Their specialties of work are the manufacture of colored labels, playing cards, and large show-posters. It is said that this company make about two-thirds of the playing cards used in the United States. He was married in 1858 to Miss Helen Green, and has five children, three daughters and two sons. His daughters are all married, and one of his sons; the other one residing with his parents at their home in Norwood, (1895) one of the many beautiful suburbs of Cincinnati. Because of illness, in 1900, he had to direct the USPC business from his Indian Mound home, where he died on April 8, 1900. That home was originally the William R. Phipps’ residence, the first and only home built in the original Norwood Heights subdivision.


2/ Robert John Morgan (1838) :

He was born in Bandon, Cork County, Ireland, June 24th, 1838. He arrived in Cincinnati, May 21st, 1847. He became engaged to Butler & Bros., manufacturers of boot and shoe blacking, small articles of trade, and dealers in paper. He was employed in packing boxes of blacking into larger boxes for shipment, and for such services received the sum of seventy-five cents a week. He remained with this firm for two years, and then became employed as "devil" in the newspaper office of the Chronicle and Atlas, corner of Third and Hammond streets, at the sum of $1.50 a week. This was considered good wages at that time for a boy of thirteen. Young Morgan did not remain long in his new situation, for the same year he became apprenticed to Caleb dark and C. W. Starbuck, owners of the Ben Franklin job-printing office. The contract was made for five years. Robert liked his new place, but on account of a misunderstanding with the foreman he was discharged at the expiration of two and a half years. He immediately secured a position at the Enquirer job rooms, to serve out his apprenticeship, at the increase in salary. After finishing his apprenticeship he continued to work at the Enquirer job rooms until he had reached the age of eighteen years. He was then offered a situation with Hutton & Frealy's Southern publishing house at Memphis, Tennessee, as foreman of the pressroom, at $40 per week. He remained at Memphis until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, when he returned to Cincinnati, and immediately enlisted in the 27th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was elected second lieutenant of Company B, having previously belonged to the Guthrie Grays, and being familiar with military tactics. On account of a dispute with the captain of his company, Mr. Morgan would not serve under him, and resigned, and returned to Memphis, arriving August 1st, 1861. In November following he left Memphis as bearer of the drawings of the fortifications at Memphis and Clarksville, Tennessee, and Bowling Green, Kentucky, going by rail from Memphis to State Station, Tennessee, and riding a mule the entire distance from State Station to Henderson, Kentucky, safely delivering the important drawings to General 0. M. Mitchell in Cincinnati. During his absence three of his brothers had enlisted in the war, and when he returned to Cincinnati and found his poor old father comparatively alone, he resolved to stay with him. He had accumulated the neat sum of $5,000, and this amount he invested in the printing business. In January 1867, the firm of Russell, Morgan & Co. was established by purchasing the Enquirer job rooms, and this became the nucleus of the present immense Russell-Morgan Company. They remained in the old quarters of the Enquirer job rooms, 20 College Street, for a short time, but finding these premises inadequate for their business, the large building now (1895) occupied by the A. E. Burkhardt Company, on Race street, was erected for their use. It was not many years, however, before the vigorous company outgrew these premises also, and their present (1895) immense building, corner of Sixth and Lock streets, was erected, and ten years later another large building was added to their premises at Fifth and Lock streets. The company has branches also at Brooklyn, New York, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Mont Clair, New Jersey, and give employment to upwards of two thousand people. Their specialties of work are the manufacture of colored labels, playing cards, of which they are responsible for about two-thirds of the cards used in the United States, and large show-posters. In 1891 the United States Printing Company was established, and Mr. Morgan became its second vice-president, and a member of its directory. Mr. Morgan was a member and the first president of the Cincinnati Board of Police Commissioners, and was instrumental in organizing the present splendid police system of Cincinnati. He visited other cities, and spent his time and money in his efforts to secure as good a system as possible. He is the donor of the Morgan medal awarded each year. March 6th, 1894, he was again appointed police commissioner of Cincinnati by Governor McKinley, to succeed M. S. Forbus. Mr. Morgan's term will expire March 31st, 1898. Mr. Morgan practically retired from actual business pursuits in May 1893, at the age of fifty-five years. He is a member of the order of Elks (link with Hochman US22 ?), and has been a Master Mason for twenty-three years. Mr. Morgan was married January 2d, 1866, to Miss Emma F. Armstrong. Four children were born of this union, two of whom survive-Arthur R. Morgan, an eminent chemist, and a member of the firm of Dickore & Morgan, and Miss Ethel, a young miss of twelve years.

3/ James Monroe Armstrong (1812-1895) :

Birth: 1812, Clermont County, Ohio, USA
Death: Oct. 3, 1895, Walnut Hills (Hamilton County), Ohio, USA

Mechanic, Merchant and one of the Proprietors of the Russell, Morgan & Co. Job Printing Office, Nos. 258 and 260 Race street, Cincinnati, was born, 1812, in Columbia township, Hamilton county, and is a son of the late James Armstrong, for many years flour inspector of Cincinnati. The latter was one of six brothers, who with their three sisters and parents removed from Maryland and located, in the year 1800, on the Little Miami river, near what is now Plainville, formerly known as Armstrong's upper, middle and lower mills. Nathaniel Shepherd Armstrong, the father of this large family, assisted in locating his six sons as follows: William and Major John were located at the lower mill; Thomas and Leonard operated the middle mill, while James and Nathaniel had charge of the upper mill. In 1822 James, the father of James Monroe Armstrong, disposed of his interests in the upper mill to his brother, and removed to a farm on Indian Hill, in the same township, where he remained until 1828, when he removed to Cincinnati, where he became flour inspector, as above stated, and held the position for many years. He died in 1841, aged fifty-seven years; his widow survived him until 1866, when she followed him, at the ripe age of seventy-seven. James Monroe Armstrong, at the age of sixteen, commenced learning the coachmaking trade in the establishment of William Holyoke, then located on the present site of the National Theatre, on Sycamore street. At the expiration of five years he had thoroughly mastered his trade; but, feeling the need of a better education, he entered the Talbot School, in the old Cincinnati College. He remained there a few months, paying for his tuition by his own labor. After leaving school he began work in the factory of the late George C. Miller, then one of the largest carriage manufactories in the West, and is yet in a flourishing condition under the management of two of the founder's sons. He remained at this establishment for three years, and then formed a partnership with Samuel Barnes, and in 1838, under the firm-name of Armstrong & Barnes, opened their own factory on Vine above Twelfth street. This connection continued prosperously until about 1844, when the junior member disposed of his interests to his partner, Barnes, and with two others engaged, in the following year, in the grocery, coopering and whiskey-gauging business. In 1850 he retired from this connection, and in company with Hermann Krafeldt embarked in the flour trade on the West Miami canal. In 1854 his brother, Arthur E. Armstrong, on account of his superior knowledge of the quality of flour and grain, was added to the firm. In 1855 Mr. Krafeldt died, but the business was continued by himself and brother on the same square (the last eight years on the corner of Walnut street) until 1867.

At that date, in connection with A. O. Russell, R. J. Morgan and John F. Robinson, he purchased the Cincinnati Enquirer job printing office on College street. After remaining there for between five and six years, during which time their business assumed immense proportions, the company purchased the ground and erected their present building on Race street, which is now one of the largest, most complete, and thoroughly and successfully conducted printing establishments in the entire West. In 1874 James M. Armstrong was elected a member of the City Council, in which body he served as a member of some of its most important committees. In the fall of 1875 he was one of the nominees of the Democratic party for the Legislature. With all of the other candidates for the Legislature of the party on that ticket he was defeated. For the past ten years he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Second National Bank. His business interests have from time to time brought him into relations with the various commercial organizations of the city. He has been more than usually successful in his career of varied effort. His personal and business habits have been unexceptional. His brother, Arthur E., is still engaged in the flour and grain trade, and another, Sandford L., is a merchant at Rising Sun, Indiana. Dr. Nathaniel S. Armstrong was a practitioner of medicine in Cincinnati, and one of its most prominent, honest and conscientious; he was the brother-in-law of the late Charles Woodward, both of whom the profession were proud of; he died in Cincinnati in 1854. Leonard L., another brother, is in the drug business at Cumminsville, Ohio. John Wesley, another brother, was attached to the 5th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mortally wounded at the battle of Antietam. Thomas Milton, his youngest brother, died in 1863, aged thirty-three years; his only sister living is Mrs. Robert Evans, of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was married, January 29th, 1840, to Martha, daughter of Caleb Williams, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Cincinnati, with whom he has three children, two daughters and one son. In 1853 Caleb Williams died, at the age of seventy-two years; his companion, Martha Williams, died in 1846.


4/ John Franklin Robinson Jr (1843-1921) :

Birth: Nov. 4, 1843, Alabama, USA
Death: Apr. 30, 1921, Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA

"THE GOVERNOR," eldest son of old John Robinson. Took over management of John Robinson's Circus with his brothers in 1871 when his father retired (link with Hochman US21?). Trained as a bare-back rider, tumbler and leaper, but increased weight eventually necessitated withdrawal from performing. In 1866, he married Caroline Heyward, daughter of a Confederate colonel from Charleston, SC. John and wife Caroline had six children. She died in 1889. When the old John Robinson Circus went under new management in 1896, Robinson combined with Franklin Bros. to form Robinson & Franklin Circus. In 1909, he sold the circus to his son, John G. Robinson, mending a family break caused by the Governor's marriage to his nurse, Mary Maud Logan in 1908.


John Gilbert Robinson (1872-1935), son of John F. Robinson, Jr. : Engaged in show business all of his life. Was a rider at 18; at 20 an assistant manager of the John Robinson Circus; 1901, took over management and continued to operate the show until 1916. Title then was sold to Jerry Mugivan and Bert Bowers and later passed into the hands of the Ringling organization. Robinson’s group elephant act appeared for several years at indoor circuses, parks, fairs and at special performances; and eventually came under the management of son, John IV. Was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Knight Templar; a past potentate of the Syrian Temple Shrine, Cincinnati, for two years, the only circus owner ever to be made a Shrine potentate. Was a trustee of Syrian Temple at time of death; a director of the Cincinnati Zoo, secretary and director of the U. S. Playing Card Company (http://www.circushistory.org/Olympians/OlympiansR2.htm) ; director of Cincinnati Christmas Seal Committee of the Anti-Tuberculosis League; member of the Cincinnati Club and the Firemen’s Protective Association; honorary member of the Circus Fans’ Association. Died at his home, 3010 Reading Road, Cincinnati, age 63.

22
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Old playing cards photos
« on: July 20, 2014, 07:15:26 PM »
Have you antique photos where we see antique playing cards but where we can recognize the maker or the name of the deck ?

I begin with two :

1 :  A young woman has in her hand four antique American Kalamazoo aces.

2 : Three men play poker with an antique Bicycle deck, Expert (or Old Fan?) back.

Now it is your turn.. Thank you in advance to everyone who will participate  ;)

23
I create this post because I have in my collection several decks which I would like to sell or exchange and I wanted to present them to you before putting them on eBay.

There is a pix for every deck and a description. If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact me. I can send you additional photos.

Cabinet #707 (Hochman US12) c1888 [Gold Edges]
32+J + OB1 (Cloth Box), Excellent ++
Slight traces on some cards. Beautif Binoculars Back.


Sale : $230 OBO
Exchange : Other Russell & Morgan PTG or antique Euchre/32 card deck preferred.


Climax #14 (Hochman AD37) c1905 [Gold Edges]
52+J + OB1, Excellent + 
Very nice Brown Baby Back


Sale : $125 OBO
Exchange : Andrew Dougherty deck, antique deck between 1900-1915 in excellent condition.

24
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Russell & Morgan - Popular Game of Cards
« on: April 15, 2014, 05:12:50 AM »
Hello all!!

On this link, here is the complete scan of my second edition booklet :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/105923073@N02/

25
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Visit of the French Playing Card Museum
« on: April 15, 2014, 04:34:39 AM »
The French Playing Card Museum abounds in historical treasures concerning the playing card. I made my first visit a few months ago and I discovered magnificent decks and very interesting texts, tracing the history of playing cards.
Here are some photos, in memory of this fabulous visit.

And you, did you visit this museum or another museum of playing cards ? Your photos are welcome if you have it..

The tape guide link of the French Museum : http://www.issy.com/storage/Audioguide/audioguides.html

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