1
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: 2 Baccarat Decks Intrigue Me
« on: July 29, 2019, 11:10:44 PM »
Flesh tone queen of hearts appears to be a Fournier jumbo poker deck to me.
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
Pages: [1] 2
2
Playing Card Plethora / Re: Yet another question about Stud playing cards 🤷🏼♂️
« on: July 29, 2019, 11:06:04 PM »
USPC made Studs in those white tipped boxes in the late 50s and early 60s, still in tax stamp days. Arrco and Hoyle also printed them for Walgreens later on.
Hoyle cards from the late 80s have a slightly different back, Hoyle indices and face cards. The jokers have vertical lines on the diagonal opposite the joker indices and have two or three lines across the top and/or the bottom of the tuck boxes. The proof of purchase font is slightly thinner than other print runs. Also, the Hoyle tuck box feels slightly thicker. Hoyle published bright red and blue Studs in poker, jumbo index and pinochle. Hoyles used the Stud ace and joker.
One suspects there were USPC trademark issues with the back design, so the Hoyles are different.
Walgreens looked to save money on USPC printing of some Studs in the 1970s. How? The face cards have no blue ink. Just black, red and yellow.
If the bottom of the tuck box reads “For particular players,” then the deck should be early 80s or older, no matter the maker. Walgreens sold Studs attached to the generic blue USPC cardboard hanger through the late 80s as well.
Hoyle cards from the late 80s have a slightly different back, Hoyle indices and face cards. The jokers have vertical lines on the diagonal opposite the joker indices and have two or three lines across the top and/or the bottom of the tuck boxes. The proof of purchase font is slightly thinner than other print runs. Also, the Hoyle tuck box feels slightly thicker. Hoyle published bright red and blue Studs in poker, jumbo index and pinochle. Hoyles used the Stud ace and joker.
One suspects there were USPC trademark issues with the back design, so the Hoyles are different.
Walgreens looked to save money on USPC printing of some Studs in the 1970s. How? The face cards have no blue ink. Just black, red and yellow.
If the bottom of the tuck box reads “For particular players,” then the deck should be early 80s or older, no matter the maker. Walgreens sold Studs attached to the generic blue USPC cardboard hanger through the late 80s as well.
3
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Ask the Experts at 52 Plus Joker
« on: July 18, 2019, 08:21:21 PM »
I have a new but opened deck available. newalbany4 at hotmail.
Chris Turner
aka Andrew Daugherty
52 Plus Joker member.
Jeffersonville, Ind.
Chris Turner
aka Andrew Daugherty
52 Plus Joker member.
Jeffersonville, Ind.
4
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Thrift store frankendeck?
« on: June 26, 2019, 11:53:49 PM »
Nice find. The deck is a standard Aviator. The blue code on the ace will help you date it. It has a standard USPC ace and joker found with Aviator and other “generic” brands through the late 1980s, before a redesign of the ace and jokers for the Aviator brand.
The tuck box is from a Bicycle new fan back deck. The tax stamp will help,you determine an approximate date, certainly before the early 1960s. The shape of the tuck flap and the one color box printing puts it perhaps early 1950s or earlier.
The tuck box is from a Bicycle new fan back deck. The tax stamp will help,you determine an approximate date, certainly before the early 1960s. The shape of the tuck flap and the one color box printing puts it perhaps early 1950s or earlier.
5
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Bicycle B1616 Rider Deck
« on: May 29, 2019, 08:44:57 PM »
Likely a 1976 issue or thereabouts, given the date code and the Cincinnati mention on the side of the tuck.
The blue font of the date code corresponds with the font and color used in the 70s. A later “B” would have been printed in black.
Earlier tuck boxes said “U.S. Playing Card Co.” on the side without the mention of Cincinnati and the zip code. No tax stamp appears here to put it pre-1965. No bar code on the bottom of the tuck puts it pre-1983.
It’s an educated guess. Enjoy the cards just as the cribbage player did.
The blue font of the date code corresponds with the font and color used in the 70s. A later “B” would have been printed in black.
Earlier tuck boxes said “U.S. Playing Card Co.” on the side without the mention of Cincinnati and the zip code. No tax stamp appears here to put it pre-1965. No bar code on the bottom of the tuck puts it pre-1983.
It’s an educated guess. Enjoy the cards just as the cribbage player did.
6
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Arrco Tahoe playing cards
« on: January 08, 2019, 07:15:11 AM »
Obviously Canadian version. Logo, font and tuck box style point to late 70s, very early 80s before bar codes. Nice find. I have similar deck in blue, purchased new in U.S. in 1979 or 1980.
7
Feedback + Support / Re: Improvements and pre-convention publicity.
« on: July 01, 2018, 01:25:05 AM »
Kevin, I will have some alcohol-related decks and singles at the convention. I’m always interested in more. You’ll be able to buy, sell or trade singles and decks.
To you and our leaders about convention publicity, a few suggestions. Yes, this rambles a bit. There are some good, specific, easy-to-accomplish ideas here with local TV the week of the convention and with other local and social media before and during it.
The group had a nice response from a TV news feature reporter in Orlando a few years ago. That segment from WOFL Fox 35 may still be linked on the club website. It’s a great example.
Start with an email to specific Cleveland TV feature reporters and their show producers. Contact information should be on stations’ websites or call the switchboards and ask for their emails.
Journalists appreciate brief, specific, to-the-point emails to start. Ask if you may follow up with a phone call at a later time that’s best in the weeks or days before the convention.
WJW Fox 8, WOIO (CBS), WEWS (ABC) and WKYC (NBC) each do lengthy morning news programs and daily “lifestyle” shows eager for swift and engaging content. The more we help reporters and producers with an interesting hook, supporting visuals and lively interviews, the more likely they will want to do segments with us. Be prepared to get up early for morning news live shots (4:30-10 a.m.) or go to the studio.
In any pitch, make promises (teases in TV talk) that catch reporters’ and producers’ attention. In turn, these may show up on the air.
“That solitaire app on your phone started with these. Look at these eye-catching designs.”
“The item buried in your junk drawer that’s a work of art — and maybe worth some money.”
“54 works of art for your next card game.”
Have plenty of decks to see, perhaps cardistry moves to share and anything visual and interactive for at least six, two-minute live, remote segments or one, three-minute segment in studio.
Interactivity and one point per segment are key, plus the reporter can use the visual material for social media slideshows on the station’s website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. These segments generate page views after they air, especially as viewers seek the time, date and place for the convention. Ask that station web and social media posts link to the club website, which, in turn, should have the pertinent convention information front and center on the homepage before a segment airs. Don’t make viewers hunt for it. They also will want to know if they may bring cards to the convention for members to examine or buy — and if there’s an admission fee.
Link any current TV segments on the club site as soon as they are posted by the station. Send a link to Card Culture subscribers in a special email and post to this site soonest, too.
From last year’s convention, it was obvious our deck designer members can explain their card designs and their meanings and nuances succinctly. That makes them good interviews with a bIt of prep,
Why does that back design symbolize wood and paper? Show me and explain in a 20-second answer. What attracted a 20-something person to design and publish analog playing cards in a digital age? How has crowd-funding jumpstarted interest in cards as a collectible art form?
In general, show a viewer why and how our hobby goes well beyond the Bicycle Rider Back or grandma’s bridge decks. Focus on the “new and now” first, then some of the cool history or older decks.
The original and colorful art especially in the “custom” and crowd-funded decks, new mass-produced specialty decks such as Emoji, Fire, Stargazer, Craft Beer, Zombie, Tattoo and Sharks (to name a few widely available examples and not just USPC); advertising decks, pinups (Is that really Betty White on that card?); decks with Cleveland themes, unusual jokers and old/new transformations are a few more visual suggestions.
Do whatever we can to make a viewer look at the screen, say “I didn’t know that,” and “That’s really cool,” and become eager to learn more about the cards she or he probably never gave a second thought about — beyond a simple card game. Mention how easily cards of all sorts are available — and that it’s an affordable hobby.
TV is best for the week of the convention. Stations rarely want to do anything that’s too far in the future. Viewers will forget.
Pre-convention publicity is easier from other forms of media locally and otherwise.
Use these ideas and others to pitch NPR stations in Cleveland and nearby Kent, plus print media or alternative weeklies. They will appreciate visuals for digital coverage or maybe want to do videos and podcasts beyond the traditional print or radio stories,
A special, email blast to Card Culture subscribers asking them to share a convention graphic on their own social media now and in repeat blasts closer to October is another idea. Take advantage of that subscriber list! Pages 7-10 of the current Card Culture could be easily adapted.
Members on Pinterest or Facebook’s various card groups can post it there. (I posted images and convention information on Playing Card Collectors, Bicycle Collectors and Joker Collectors FB pages to start. It includes personal photos from last year in Erlanger. Hope that is okay.)
A post on Cleveland, Akron and Kent Craigslists the week of the convention can’t hurt. A calendar listing can be emailed now to the local convention and visitors bureaus, Ohio state tourism, to Antiques Weekly and similar entities. Don’t forget notifications and a convention graphic to ACBL for its website and social media. Email any Cleveland area bridge clubs. Maybe any of the poker players’ magazines would be interested in a feature or a calendar listing.
Club members will have additional suggestions to boost interest via other outlets and forms of social media.
Chris Turner
Jeffersonville, Ind, (Louisville, Ky. area)
To you and our leaders about convention publicity, a few suggestions. Yes, this rambles a bit. There are some good, specific, easy-to-accomplish ideas here with local TV the week of the convention and with other local and social media before and during it.
The group had a nice response from a TV news feature reporter in Orlando a few years ago. That segment from WOFL Fox 35 may still be linked on the club website. It’s a great example.
Start with an email to specific Cleveland TV feature reporters and their show producers. Contact information should be on stations’ websites or call the switchboards and ask for their emails.
Journalists appreciate brief, specific, to-the-point emails to start. Ask if you may follow up with a phone call at a later time that’s best in the weeks or days before the convention.
WJW Fox 8, WOIO (CBS), WEWS (ABC) and WKYC (NBC) each do lengthy morning news programs and daily “lifestyle” shows eager for swift and engaging content. The more we help reporters and producers with an interesting hook, supporting visuals and lively interviews, the more likely they will want to do segments with us. Be prepared to get up early for morning news live shots (4:30-10 a.m.) or go to the studio.
In any pitch, make promises (teases in TV talk) that catch reporters’ and producers’ attention. In turn, these may show up on the air.
“That solitaire app on your phone started with these. Look at these eye-catching designs.”
“The item buried in your junk drawer that’s a work of art — and maybe worth some money.”
“54 works of art for your next card game.”
Have plenty of decks to see, perhaps cardistry moves to share and anything visual and interactive for at least six, two-minute live, remote segments or one, three-minute segment in studio.
Interactivity and one point per segment are key, plus the reporter can use the visual material for social media slideshows on the station’s website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. These segments generate page views after they air, especially as viewers seek the time, date and place for the convention. Ask that station web and social media posts link to the club website, which, in turn, should have the pertinent convention information front and center on the homepage before a segment airs. Don’t make viewers hunt for it. They also will want to know if they may bring cards to the convention for members to examine or buy — and if there’s an admission fee.
Link any current TV segments on the club site as soon as they are posted by the station. Send a link to Card Culture subscribers in a special email and post to this site soonest, too.
From last year’s convention, it was obvious our deck designer members can explain their card designs and their meanings and nuances succinctly. That makes them good interviews with a bIt of prep,
Why does that back design symbolize wood and paper? Show me and explain in a 20-second answer. What attracted a 20-something person to design and publish analog playing cards in a digital age? How has crowd-funding jumpstarted interest in cards as a collectible art form?
In general, show a viewer why and how our hobby goes well beyond the Bicycle Rider Back or grandma’s bridge decks. Focus on the “new and now” first, then some of the cool history or older decks.
The original and colorful art especially in the “custom” and crowd-funded decks, new mass-produced specialty decks such as Emoji, Fire, Stargazer, Craft Beer, Zombie, Tattoo and Sharks (to name a few widely available examples and not just USPC); advertising decks, pinups (Is that really Betty White on that card?); decks with Cleveland themes, unusual jokers and old/new transformations are a few more visual suggestions.
Do whatever we can to make a viewer look at the screen, say “I didn’t know that,” and “That’s really cool,” and become eager to learn more about the cards she or he probably never gave a second thought about — beyond a simple card game. Mention how easily cards of all sorts are available — and that it’s an affordable hobby.
TV is best for the week of the convention. Stations rarely want to do anything that’s too far in the future. Viewers will forget.
Pre-convention publicity is easier from other forms of media locally and otherwise.
Use these ideas and others to pitch NPR stations in Cleveland and nearby Kent, plus print media or alternative weeklies. They will appreciate visuals for digital coverage or maybe want to do videos and podcasts beyond the traditional print or radio stories,
A special, email blast to Card Culture subscribers asking them to share a convention graphic on their own social media now and in repeat blasts closer to October is another idea. Take advantage of that subscriber list! Pages 7-10 of the current Card Culture could be easily adapted.
Members on Pinterest or Facebook’s various card groups can post it there. (I posted images and convention information on Playing Card Collectors, Bicycle Collectors and Joker Collectors FB pages to start. It includes personal photos from last year in Erlanger. Hope that is okay.)
A post on Cleveland, Akron and Kent Craigslists the week of the convention can’t hurt. A calendar listing can be emailed now to the local convention and visitors bureaus, Ohio state tourism, to Antiques Weekly and similar entities. Don’t forget notifications and a convention graphic to ACBL for its website and social media. Email any Cleveland area bridge clubs. Maybe any of the poker players’ magazines would be interested in a feature or a calendar listing.
Club members will have additional suggestions to boost interest via other outlets and forms of social media.
Chris Turner
Jeffersonville, Ind, (Louisville, Ky. area)
8
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Interesting KEM / Brown & Bigelow deck
« on: August 02, 2017, 09:09:53 PM »
The company's connection with Western Publishing would explain why Kem has always used the Western (Whitman) face cards and indices. Excellent articles that tell us a lot.
9
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: NY Consolidated Bee Deck Question
« on: April 23, 2017, 10:58:12 PM »
USPC still used the NYCC name on this deck of Bees, as it did on many NYCC brands decades after it purchased the company. Same goes for use of the Russell and Dougherty names through the middle of the twentieth century. USPC was slow to revise the well-known tuck box and other logo designs as it acquired those other companies' brands that had strong identity and equity with customers. You may see NYCC on the ace of spades and perhaps the jokers. Other Bee decks have Consolidated Dougherty on the aces and jokers. Tax stamp with the CDC overprint for Colsolidated Dougherty puts this deck in the late 40s-1965 range. What is the date code on the ace of spades?
The inside of the tuck box should be brown cardboard and not slick, white paper stock. The cards, when new, may have been wrapped in a glassine wrapper and sealed with an embossed, gold or purple and white paper company seal.
Good eyes on the subtle difference on the front of the tuck box. Bees of this vintage are pretty common to find, although not always in decent condition. People played with their Bees until they often were worn out. They were durable and considered a reliable, utilitarian kind of deck, much as we treat Bicycle rider backs today. They cost a bit more than other wide standard decks. Bees were a premium brand then as now. Design differences on the decks from then to today would be subtle, with use of the modern design (1960s-) face cards today and the updating of the name and address on the famous jokers.
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
AKA Andrew
The inside of the tuck box should be brown cardboard and not slick, white paper stock. The cards, when new, may have been wrapped in a glassine wrapper and sealed with an embossed, gold or purple and white paper company seal.
Good eyes on the subtle difference on the front of the tuck box. Bees of this vintage are pretty common to find, although not always in decent condition. People played with their Bees until they often were worn out. They were durable and considered a reliable, utilitarian kind of deck, much as we treat Bicycle rider backs today. They cost a bit more than other wide standard decks. Bees were a premium brand then as now. Design differences on the decks from then to today would be subtle, with use of the modern design (1960s-) face cards today and the updating of the name and address on the famous jokers.
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
AKA Andrew
10
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Help Identify this Deck?
« on: April 21, 2017, 07:35:28 AM »
Very common USPC ace, used starting in at least the 1930s and through the 1960s. Found on Aviators, bridge decks of all sorts. Served as one of the generic or default ace designs for many brands.
11
The Pasteboard Bazaar - Sales, Trades & In Search Of (STISO) / Re: ISO: Club 808 decks
« on: February 21, 2017, 07:21:40 AM »
I have at least four of the Joker decks MIB and sealed and one more that's new and open, unused.
Contact via PM for more info. U.S. shipping only.
Andrew Daugherty
Contact via PM for more info. U.S. shipping only.
Andrew Daugherty
12
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: New member here with six old decks.
« on: February 18, 2017, 08:09:05 PM »
You have excellent examples of early USPC and related companies' decks. Each should stand out in your collection.
Racer back Bicycles come from a time when USPC sold Bikes with designs other than the Rider back. The L should put the deck about 1950. Racers were fairly common to find in stores back then.
The whiskey deck likely doesn't belong in the old Tally Ho box. It comes from a time when distillers gave away decks with special aces, jokers and backs. They are still out there, usually printed in red, blue, brown and green. Card collectors and whiskey/alcohol collectors love these. Decks usually come with a special box as well.
Standard USPC Tourist deck has hard-to-find back design.
The narrow Congress deck is likely early late 1920s-early 1930s. It is part of a series of "narrow named" Art Deco backs that are also collectible. You can find the title on the bottom of each card back. The rich colors, gilt edges and sophisticated printing made these cards stand out at bridge tables. The colors still are bold 80+ years later. Other manufacturers made their own lines of these colorful cards. CPCC -- Chicago Playing Card Collectors -- has catalogued these cards for reference. They are especially popular among singles collectors.
The wide Congress deck is even older, and it is an excellent specimen to show Congress back designs were always among the fanciest and most colorful, even before slimmer, bridge-sized cards became popular. Many of these backs also have names and are catalogued through CPCC.
Parker Brothers sold playing cards in the early half of the 20th century; however, I am not familiar if the company outsourced them to USPC or other companies. I've not been able to tell much from my sole -- and very worn -- Parker Brothers deck, other than people played hundreds of games with the deck.
Finally: Leave the boxes as is.
Enjoy. Happy to answer any questions!
Andrew
Chris Turner
52 + Joker and CPCC member.
Racer back Bicycles come from a time when USPC sold Bikes with designs other than the Rider back. The L should put the deck about 1950. Racers were fairly common to find in stores back then.
The whiskey deck likely doesn't belong in the old Tally Ho box. It comes from a time when distillers gave away decks with special aces, jokers and backs. They are still out there, usually printed in red, blue, brown and green. Card collectors and whiskey/alcohol collectors love these. Decks usually come with a special box as well.
Standard USPC Tourist deck has hard-to-find back design.
The narrow Congress deck is likely early late 1920s-early 1930s. It is part of a series of "narrow named" Art Deco backs that are also collectible. You can find the title on the bottom of each card back. The rich colors, gilt edges and sophisticated printing made these cards stand out at bridge tables. The colors still are bold 80+ years later. Other manufacturers made their own lines of these colorful cards. CPCC -- Chicago Playing Card Collectors -- has catalogued these cards for reference. They are especially popular among singles collectors.
The wide Congress deck is even older, and it is an excellent specimen to show Congress back designs were always among the fanciest and most colorful, even before slimmer, bridge-sized cards became popular. Many of these backs also have names and are catalogued through CPCC.
Parker Brothers sold playing cards in the early half of the 20th century; however, I am not familiar if the company outsourced them to USPC or other companies. I've not been able to tell much from my sole -- and very worn -- Parker Brothers deck, other than people played hundreds of games with the deck.
Finally: Leave the boxes as is.
Enjoy. Happy to answer any questions!
Andrew
Chris Turner
52 + Joker and CPCC member.
13
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Grand Pip brand Casino Playing Cards?
« on: February 12, 2017, 11:23:06 PM »
Those are Paulson brand casino cards. "Grand pip" refers to the size of the indices on the corners of the cards. Many casinos prefer the larger pips to make it easier to see and read the cards.
The minimalist design of the face cards is a Paulson trademark. Look closely and you will see familiar filigree details in the jacks, queens and kings. Another way to differentiate: Face cards are printed in four colors, unlike Gemaco's three.
You will find Paulson, Gemaco, USPC (Aristocrat or Bee), Carta Mundi and occasionally other manufacturers in the used casino decks you find at Dollar Tree and similar stores. Learn the filigree patterns on the back to identify the makers, though some casinos have special, proprietary back designs. Many have special aces and jokers. Casino cards like these are easy and inexpensive to collect. Play with them and enjoy. Singles collectors like them, too.
Andrew
aka Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
The minimalist design of the face cards is a Paulson trademark. Look closely and you will see familiar filigree details in the jacks, queens and kings. Another way to differentiate: Face cards are printed in four colors, unlike Gemaco's three.
You will find Paulson, Gemaco, USPC (Aristocrat or Bee), Carta Mundi and occasionally other manufacturers in the used casino decks you find at Dollar Tree and similar stores. Learn the filigree patterns on the back to identify the makers, though some casinos have special, proprietary back designs. Many have special aces and jokers. Casino cards like these are easy and inexpensive to collect. Play with them and enjoy. Singles collectors like them, too.
Andrew
aka Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
14
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: What year this deck was made?
« on: January 31, 2017, 10:17:35 PM »
The words "playing cards" are in a more modern font on the front of the box -- not in a font used on USPC boxes in the 1980s. I would agree with 2001. If you want another clue, look for the four-digit codes on the "extra" cards in the deck. Those should be closer to 2001 as well.
Enjoy the deck, a typical and common Bike jumbo index pack.
Enjoy the deck, a typical and common Bike jumbo index pack.
15
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Vintage Bicycle Bridge Deck - Information Wanted
« on: November 13, 2016, 09:40:27 AM »
Nice find! USPC used Bicycle branding for bridge decks without the typical filigree backs in the early 1930s. Is there the standard Bicycle ace? What about the jokers? If the jokers are in color and say "Multicolor Series" or similar, then you have a harder-to-find specimen. USPC produced full-color.Bicycle jokers for a short time with these decks, to attract bridge players who wanted a bright, attractive and more sophisticated appearing pack of cards. Hence the embossed label on the box also. These came as bridge and other at-home card night games were soaring in popularity. The Art Deco back came in several colors.
Enjoy.
Chris Turner
Enjoy.
Chris Turner
16
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Indian Head Playing Cards Sealed Double Deck
« on: April 27, 2016, 12:52:02 PM »
I don't know the name of the packaging, but I have only seen it on Liberty advertising decks.
The other joker should be red. The spade ace should have a script "Liberty" logo. My decks like this have Liberty's original face cards on them, not the Western publishing designs. The numbers on the pips appear to be a combination of older USPC and Brown & Bigelow styles. Look at the 3s, 5s and 7s for example.
As for the logo on the back, perhaps it is from an insurance company or bank, well known in its sales territory by just the symbol. It is a good one for a repeating and reversed color design as you see here.
The other joker should be red. The spade ace should have a script "Liberty" logo. My decks like this have Liberty's original face cards on them, not the Western publishing designs. The numbers on the pips appear to be a combination of older USPC and Brown & Bigelow styles. Look at the 3s, 5s and 7s for example.
As for the logo on the back, perhaps it is from an insurance company or bank, well known in its sales territory by just the symbol. It is a good one for a repeating and reversed color design as you see here.
17
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Indian Head Playing Cards Sealed Double Deck
« on: April 27, 2016, 01:56:56 AM »
It's a Liberty double deck bridge set. The unusual box was common for the company's advertising decks in the 70s and 80s. Those are definitely Liberty jokers as well. I have no idea about the "Indian head" logo though.
18
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Ask the Experts at 52 Plus Joker
« on: April 24, 2016, 11:16:18 PM »
Look closer. Those Classic playing cards are Cartamundi decks, made in China. DG has contracted with Cartamundi to produce the Classics a couple of times over the years. The Classics appear to be replacing Mavericks as the dollar deck this year.
The Classics are very similar, if not the same, as the Rite Aid store brand deck that sells for well more than a dollar in my area.
The center "button" on the back design has changed slightly on various editions of this desk. Sorry, my decks aren't readily accessible for pictures right now.
--Andrew
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
Jeffersonville, Ind.
The Classics are very similar, if not the same, as the Rite Aid store brand deck that sells for well more than a dollar in my area.
The center "button" on the back design has changed slightly on various editions of this desk. Sorry, my decks aren't readily accessible for pictures right now.
--Andrew
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
Jeffersonville, Ind.
19
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Question About This Aladdin Playing Card
« on: January 21, 2016, 11:34:30 PM »
The font on the ace of spades is way too modern for 1910. Also, the court cards are the modern USPC faces. I would put the N date code as possibly 1990-1991. That was also the time when the face cards often were printed with slightly faded colors, as your image may show. The blues fade into a purplish hue. Collectors, look at your early 90s USPC decks, and you'll see how the colors are not as rich as decks before or after.
One more clue. If the box is original to the deck, the zip code puts the deck after 1965. Lack of bar code is interesting, though.
Sometimes the various date code charts are not 100 percent correct. Occasionally one must make an educated guess based on other clues. Definitely not 1910. Font, combined with faded blue says early 90s.
One more clue. If the box is original to the deck, the zip code puts the deck after 1965. Lack of bar code is interesting, though.
Sometimes the various date code charts are not 100 percent correct. Occasionally one must make an educated guess based on other clues. Definitely not 1910. Font, combined with faded blue says early 90s.
20
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: 937 Lifebuoy Playing Cards
« on: October 22, 2015, 12:54:49 AM »
Since all these companies eventually became "sisters" under USPC, perhaps one maker's cards went out under another's tax stamps. We saw a related situation with the tax stamp differing from the designer/owner of Democracy brand playing cards in another posting.
Also: The jet replaced the Lindbergh Spirit of St. Louis silhouette on Aviators in the middle 60's. The side graphics on the boxes changed, too. No more checkerboard-like design. The box design would not change again until the late 80's.
I have found Aviators or the older USPC generic in Torpedo boxes. Also Aviators: Mohawk, Tuxedo (Osco/Jewel), Planet, Target, King, Draw, Derby, Red Cross military care package decks and numerous discount and drug store brands.
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
Also: The jet replaced the Lindbergh Spirit of St. Louis silhouette on Aviators in the middle 60's. The side graphics on the boxes changed, too. No more checkerboard-like design. The box design would not change again until the late 80's.
I have found Aviators or the older USPC generic in Torpedo boxes. Also Aviators: Mohawk, Tuxedo (Osco/Jewel), Planet, Target, King, Draw, Derby, Red Cross military care package decks and numerous discount and drug store brands.
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
21
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Interested in these Midway Plastic Coated Risque Cards. Legit? Price?
« on: October 12, 2015, 11:33:30 AM »
It is an Arrco standard bridge deck and pretty typical of the "pin-up" decks of the late 40s and 50s. No special aces, court cards or jokers. Nice to find if it is still sealed. Midway is one of many brands for standard Arrco decks.
I have some trouble reading the artist's signature. Note that the bottom of the deck leaves blank space for an advertiser's line or two. The playing card companies sold these decks both with the blank spaces and overprinted as advertising premiums.
I did not find a mention of the artist (based on my attempt to read the signature) in "Stacked Decks", the reference book on erotica/pinup playing cards. Mark Lee Rotenberg, Quirk Books, 2006. (Excellent book on the genre. Nicely illustrated.)
Similar decks are still out there in new condition, so the supply isn't scarce. Unless they are mint, sealed decks of Elvgren, MacPherson, Vargas, et al., you should find prices affordable.
The cards do appeal to erotica/pinup collectors as well. Many card collectors collect the pinups as singles.
Nice addition to any collection.
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
I have some trouble reading the artist's signature. Note that the bottom of the deck leaves blank space for an advertiser's line or two. The playing card companies sold these decks both with the blank spaces and overprinted as advertising premiums.
I did not find a mention of the artist (based on my attempt to read the signature) in "Stacked Decks", the reference book on erotica/pinup playing cards. Mark Lee Rotenberg, Quirk Books, 2006. (Excellent book on the genre. Nicely illustrated.)
Similar decks are still out there in new condition, so the supply isn't scarce. Unless they are mint, sealed decks of Elvgren, MacPherson, Vargas, et al., you should find prices affordable.
The cards do appeal to erotica/pinup collectors as well. Many card collectors collect the pinups as singles.
Nice addition to any collection.
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
22
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Ask the Experts at 52 Plus Joker
« on: October 09, 2015, 01:09:37 AM »
That is a good estimate, Craig.
23
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Democracy Playing Card Company
« on: September 15, 2015, 10:13:57 AM »
Some speculation here to help in further research. R.P.C. likely indicated Russell Playing Card Co. The style of the individual pips (especially the "Q" on the queen) is the same as used by Russell -- so is the shape of the large spade on the ace of spades. "Democracy Playing Card Co." may have been a business selling and promoting the cards, but Russell actually made them -- and thus was the company responsible for applying the tax stamp at time of manufacture.
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
24
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Interesting Bee joker variant found at CPCC convention
« on: September 11, 2015, 08:27:06 AM »
Interesting to me anyway. Found standard blue Bees in a Great Mogul box. 1972. I had not seen this plain "Extra Joker" until now.
Given that Great Mogul boxes usually contain USPC seconds or decks for export -- would either of these be the reason for the plain extra joker? It means this deck carries no guarantee card. And it appears just fine -- no obvious defects, etc.
One color printing makes this card cheaper to produce -- and appear as an afterthought compared to the colored joker.
Found the deck at the Chicago Playing Card Collectors convention Thursday. Tons of free singles to swap, and you'll find rarer singles and interesting decks for sale. (CPCC member here).
Holiday Inn North Shore, Skokie, Illinois through Saturday evening.
Chris Turner
aka Andrew
52 Plus Joker and CPCC member for 20+ years.
Given that Great Mogul boxes usually contain USPC seconds or decks for export -- would either of these be the reason for the plain extra joker? It means this deck carries no guarantee card. And it appears just fine -- no obvious defects, etc.
One color printing makes this card cheaper to produce -- and appear as an afterthought compared to the colored joker.
Found the deck at the Chicago Playing Card Collectors convention Thursday. Tons of free singles to swap, and you'll find rarer singles and interesting decks for sale. (CPCC member here).
Holiday Inn North Shore, Skokie, Illinois through Saturday evening.
Chris Turner
aka Andrew
52 Plus Joker and CPCC member for 20+ years.
25
A Cellar of Fine Vintages / Re: Ask the Experts at 52 Plus Joker
« on: September 08, 2015, 12:51:16 PM »
Here are my Rugbys in a blue box. They were 23 cents each or two for 45 cents at Hook's drugs, a longtime Indiana-based drug store chain.
My blue box contained the bridge deck you see here, complete with the extra card to stick out of the slot on one side of the box. That way you could see the design of the cards in the box! Slots were common in the 1930s for USPC and others to avoid custom printed or glued-card boxes for these inexpensive bridge decks.
You see the standard ace, joker and 1935 bridge/500 scoring table. The U date code puts these at 1935.
Happy to assist!
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
aka Andrew.
My blue box contained the bridge deck you see here, complete with the extra card to stick out of the slot on one side of the box. That way you could see the design of the cards in the box! Slots were common in the 1930s for USPC and others to avoid custom printed or glued-card boxes for these inexpensive bridge decks.
You see the standard ace, joker and 1935 bridge/500 scoring table. The U date code puts these at 1935.
Happy to assist!
Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member
aka Andrew.
Pages: [1] 2