Author (Read 17491 times)

tobyedwards · « **on:** December 07, 2018, 03:00:39 PM »

I wanted to pose the following question to the viewers of this website, namely, can anyone state positively that 1904 was the last year that USPC issued printed inner wrappers for their Congress brand decks? Pictured below are two mint sealed Congress decks in my collection. They are Spanish from 1904 and Mountaineer from 1905. The 1904 wrapper has printing on the front, pictured below, and all four sides together with the very unusual stamp which shows both the back design picture and name of the deck within. Has anyone else seen another example of this type of stamp for this year or any other year? I am wondering if this type of stamp was unique to this year alone. The 1905 wrapper is completely plain and made of thinner paper and has the customary stamp affixed to it. I have a couple of other 1905 mint sealed Congress decks whose wrappers and stamps are identical to this one. I do not know when the transition was made from this plain paper wrapper to the later semi-transparent onionskin wrapper.

torcams · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2018, 12:30:07 PM »

No help here, but thank you for the pictures and info. I will keep an eye out.

torcams · « **Reply #2 on:** December 01, 2019, 04:44:25 PM »

Toby, I have it on good authority that Mistletoe carried a similar "named" stamp on its wrapper.

Don Boyer · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2019, 06:52:05 AM »

Keep your eyes peeled on this forum - we have at least one Congress specialist collector around here who may be able to answer this question for you. I believe his handle is Chuqii.

Chuqii · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2019, 09:17:47 PM »

Thanks for the shout-out Don, but I’m a KEM specialist and antique generalist. A Congress specialist I am not.

Don Boyer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 10, 2019, 01:22:35 AM »

Quote from: Chuqii on December 03, 2019, 09:17:47 PM

Thanks for the shout-out Don, but I’m a KEM specialist and antique generalist. A Congress specialist I am not.

Whoops! My mistake. I knew you were special...

torcams · « **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2020, 11:00:48 PM »

ok, I've added some "finds" to the list of decks with special stamps

Spring 1903
Toboggan 1903
The Hunt 1901

From John McKinnon's article in CTD covering Congress manufacture dates, the following decks were made in 1903/04: I have annotated with those I've found special stamps for (Y) and those I've seen with a glassine wrapper without the special stamp (N). We have work to do to complete the research!!

1903
Cavalier
Holland
Holly
Kaatje
Kite Time
Miss Demure
Mistletoe (Y)
Moorish
Naples
Spring (Y)
Tambourine
Toboggan (Y)
Yacht

1904
Aviation Meet (N)
Chink
Egyptian
Hunt (Y)
Into Cover
Kill
Lilly
Meet
Military (N)
Parisian
Run
Shower
Spanish (Y)
Summer
Violet

torcams · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2020, 01:09:51 PM »

I've corrected The Hunt, above which was actually copyrighted in 1901 according to the wrapper and seal.

I wonder if more decks outside of 1903 and 1904 had these seals or rather this seal was added later during this deck's production. The plot thickens....

Dufus · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2020, 08:56:47 PM »

I passed this link along to the official congress guy. Not sure if he is a member of the website yet or not.

Edit: Resulted in no info. False hope given.

torcams · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2020, 12:31:27 AM »

Thanks David. Need all the help we can get here from those with Congress cards in wrappers. I will not be surprised if the info is slow to appear.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2020, 12:31:42 PM »

My son (The Congress Guy) and I have created a database for the Congress 606 cards. Were have 341 decks listed between the 1890s and 1930. We researched dates through trademarks, copyrights, The American Stationer magazine, card books and several club members. We only have 3 unconfirmed deck names (probably missed named by the owners that we have no pictures from) and 35 decks from 1920-30 without definitive dates.
Any information about them would be appreciated. Ultimately we want to share the database with the group.

torcams · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2020, 07:58:42 PM »

Dave, if you send me the list of those youre missing I'll see if I can help.

torcams · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2020, 11:25:13 PM »

Pictures

Dufus · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2020, 11:32:14 PM »

Some fantastic decks in this post!

NCC1888 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2020, 05:57:03 PM »

As most of you know I'm working on a Congress 606 (Pre 1930) database. My research has gotten tougher so I thought I would ask for more help here. In this first post are ones that I need good pics of for the database.
HONEYMOON (Two Indians on horseback) 1911 PATENT
JANICE 1917 PATENT
NOVEMBER 1918 PATENT
POSTER GIRLS 1904 PATENT
COLONIAL/AUTOCRAT PATENT 1906 BRIDGE DECK
ORACLE NAME APPEARS IN 1911 ADVERTISEMENT
OWL LACQUER BACK 1890S
STORM LACQUER BACK 1890S
SUNLIGHT LACQUER BACK 1890S
PLAYING HOOKY SAID TO BE A CONGRESS DECK/NO PROOF
ROWDY SAID TO BE A CONGRESS DECK/NO PROOF
ORANGE BLOSSOMS 1907 PATENT
This may or may not be the card. Need proof. Here is a pic I have.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2020, 06:00:01 PM »

Here are some cards that I do not have definitive names for;

torcams · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2020, 11:01:49 PM »

On the wides, the trees are "Autumn" and the rural scene with animals is "Rural Life"

I've got scans of some of the lacquers you need - I'll send those soon.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2020, 10:16:10 AM »

Looking forward to seeing them. I have found quite a few since the last post. My unknown list is getting pretty small.

torcams · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2020, 06:51:20 PM »

Dave, I believe I recognize that first card from a Congress display frame. If memory serves, it was pasted on and the title was papered-over. I am not convinced it is actually a Congress brand card.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2020, 07:12:17 PM »

A couple ladies from the Chicago Card Collectors thought it looked English. From an old Ebay single swap card post. We are looking for proof on this card. It appears as a 606 on the World Web Playing Card Museum website. The tricycle is turn of the century. Jan Walls thought that a Lois Stebbing had done an article on this card. She is trying to locate it.

tobyedwards · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2020, 01:20:53 PM »

The card you show with the children is from a special edition Congress deck made for a Mr. Jacob Godfrey Schmidlapp who was a prominent citizen of Cincinnati, apparently as a Christmas gift for 1917 based upon the photo of the box shown below. The children shown may have been his grandchildren. Mr. Schmidlapp was a classic American rags to riches success story having established a distillery in 1874 and, later on in 1890, he organized The Union Savings Bank and Trust Company, both of Cincinnati. The second photo shows the special Ace of Spades that came with this deck. Selected phrases also appear above the central pip on each of the other aces in this deck. I do not know if this was the first of the series of such special Congress decks made for Mr. Schmidlapp by USPC. I do know that there was a deck issued for 1918 but I do not have any examples, however, the third photo shows the back design from his Christmas deck from 1919 which represents his home, Kirchheim. In this deck the Ace of Spades is the standard Hochman US6g version which was in effect at that time. The fourth photo shows the Ace of Clubs from this deck which has selected phrases above and below the central pip. This treatment also appears on the red suit aces. Given that Mr. Schmidlapp passed away just before Christmas, 1919, it is likely that this brief special series of Congress decks ended then.

As an aside, the name of the narrow card shown at the bottom of your second post below the two wide cards is "Antoinette".

torcams · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2020, 05:25:54 PM »

Thanks Toby, I have wondered about those cards. Is the Joker anything special or the standard Congress capital building?

tobyedwards · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2020, 12:00:38 AM »

Sorry for the obvious omission. The jokers are just the standard Capitol image with the large US indices.
As another point of interest regarding Mr. Schmidlapp, he was also the president of the Commercial Club of Cincinnati in 1890, which later had a hand in the issuance of the rare and wonderful Cincinnati souvenir deck, Hochman S79, and so he may have had a previous involvement with USPC when it came to their producing specialized decks for interested and influential parties.

torcams · « **Reply #23 on:** February 02, 2020, 10:53:37 AM »

Thanks again Toby. Those are wonderful and special decks.

I came across J. G. Schmidlapp's name during my research for the S79 article. In 1905 he would have still been President of the Union Bank and Trust Co., however his Vice President Albert B. Vorheis is the Commercial Club member pictured in the deck, as the King of Clubs.

I seem to recall seeing another deck recently with his name on the box, but can't quite place it. I"ll have to see if I can find it with a little research.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 02, 2020, 11:30:49 AM »

Here is his story from a 1921 National Registry article...

torcams · « **Reply #25 on:** February 02, 2020, 12:06:29 PM »

Thank you, Dave.

torcams · « **Reply #26 on:** February 02, 2020, 01:10:57 PM »

Here is a wonderful description of Mr. Schmidlapp's hosting of an 1897 Commercial Clubs reunion event at his home, "Kirchheim", starting on page 24.

https://books.google.com/books?id=fxwoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PR1&lpg=PR1&dq=kirchheim+schmidlapp&source=bl&ots=jPb_VSRc1E&sig=ACfU3U02gSm_waZFFKs2ta-vZMq0b_Bfxg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjdxdLlubPnAhXVjp4KHUgkD4AQ6AEwBHoECAwQAQ#v=onepage&q=kirchheim%20schmidlapp&f=false

NCC1888 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 04, 2020, 11:37:41 AM »

Read the article. It must have been nice to have money and be connected at that time.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 04, 2020, 01:41:15 PM »

Just saw this special Congress deck posted. 1926 date code.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 04, 2020, 10:22:19 PM »

The temporary Congress 606 website is now available for review. Any help will be appreciated. http://congresscardbacks.weebly.com/

Chuqii · « **Reply #30 on:** February 05, 2020, 12:25:47 PM »

Great project! I have a 1910 sample book that helps, and some decks. One new Diana back, Congress Monogram design, Polly (Yes, a 606), a Lily where you can see the gold ink, and a different George Washington. If you need more detail, just let me know.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #31 on:** February 05, 2020, 02:58:13 PM »

Thank you once again. I've added them to the database but not the website yet.

Chuqii · « **Reply #32 on:** February 05, 2020, 03:53:56 PM »

And one more I just received today, sealed - Mildred, and an Extra Congress frog, a little different version from one posted

Chuqii · « **Reply #33 on:** February 05, 2020, 06:01:34 PM »

And a one more for the name list from this 1900 Congress Playing Cards in Miniature - Josephine - and a couple different color variations of cards you already have. And another new name, Minuet, from this 1904 Evening at Cards booklet, plus some name variations (Mill for Old Mill, Spanish for Spanish Dancer)

Chuqii · « **Reply #34 on:** February 05, 2020, 06:37:09 PM »

Last one for now - new name The Shower (2nd row, 2nd from left)

NCC1888 · « **Reply #35 on:** February 06, 2020, 09:29:04 AM »

Thank you. I've made all the corrections. I also corrected the website name list. Is Mildred before or after 1930?

Chuqii · « **Reply #36 on:** February 06, 2020, 02:11:49 PM »

Sealed, but it has a 1926 Auction Bridge card and a 10 cent tax stamp, and came in a Two Pack set with a Dolores deck (also sealed), so pretty sure it is pre-1930. Also, the other decks that came in the lot were all 1927 based upon Ace of Spades date code.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #37 on:** February 07, 2020, 09:19:21 AM »

Which 10 cent stamp was it?

Chuqii · « **Reply #38 on:** February 07, 2020, 12:19:09 PM »

It is the larger one (1929-1949). Guess it might not be pre-1930. But let me redeem myself with Blue Bonnet copyright 1928 from a 1930 catalog page, and Rapids, Silvery Moon, and Powhatan from a 1915 catalog page.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #39 on:** February 07, 2020, 04:37:24 PM »

Thank you, that was a good "save'.
There are 2 versions of the long horizontal stamp. 1929 with perforations on 2 sides and 1930 with perforations on all sides.

Chuqii · « **Reply #40 on:** February 08, 2020, 10:52:25 AM »

I never knew that about the long 29 cent stamps. I’ll check on Monday.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #41 on:** February 08, 2020, 11:08:28 AM »

A year ago I got into playing card tax stamps. I could not find everything about them I wanted to know in one source. So I ended up creating my own reference book. I think it's pretty thorough. I even made one for Canada tax stamps. There are several tax stamps that are very valuable and can add value to a deck if you know what to look for. If you are interested I can email you, or any readers of this post, a copy.

torcams · « **Reply #42 on:** February 08, 2020, 12:30:01 PM »

Dave,

I believe that I have bits and pieces, but if you have assembled something I'd like to have it. Do I sense another weebly site coming?? (I think that would be nice.)

NCC1888 · « **Reply #43 on:** February 08, 2020, 02:02:02 PM »

Never thought about it but that might be a great idea.

Chuqii · « **Reply #44 on:** February 08, 2020, 10:19:29 PM »

If it is anything like your Congress backs, I’m sure it is thorough, and I’d love to have a copy.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #45 on:** February 09, 2020, 11:05:56 AM »

Sent you copies.
What I forgot to tell Matt was that the "RF" numbers used are from the Scott Catalog for stamp collecting. Their Hochman for stamp collecting. If there is any particular stamp you might want you can use that number. https://www.ericjackson.com/rsubprod1_2x.asp?MCAT=&CAT=US_Revenue&CAT2=RF1-29-1&q2=&dateRange=&page=&intGroup=&Cond= is a really good place to search for a stamp. You can see pictures and pricing. Or you can use the reference on eBay searches. Last year I was able to get a good deal ($70) for a perfect stamp only used by the Pyramid Card Company.

Chuqii · « **Reply #46 on:** February 10, 2020, 10:52:29 AM »

REDEMPTION! Mildred has the 1929 2 perf stamp.

NCC1888 · « **Reply #47 on:** February 10, 2020, 03:09:56 PM »

Glad I could help.