The Finding Aid of the Edwards H. Metcalf Collection of Playing Cards 0206
Alexandra Haas
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
December 2022
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu 90263-4786
Business Number: (310) 506-4434
Fax Number: (310) 506-4117
kelsey.knox@pepperdine.edu
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: Edwards H. Metcalf Collection of Playing Cards
Identifier/Call Number: 0206
Physical Description:
2 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1800-1950
Abstract: Edwards H. Metcalf was a collector, Pepperdine University board member, and grandson of Henry Edwards Huntington (a railroad
tycoon and founder of the Huntington Library, Art Gallery, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA). While he was a T.E. Lawrence
enthusiast, his collections were diverse, including a collection of vintage playing cards. This collection was donated to
Pepperdine University Libaries - Special Collections and University Archives after his death. The decks range in dates from
the early 1800s to the mid-1900s. Many different card games are included in the collection, such as Man-Chu, fortune telling,
and court.
Physical Description: Collection consists of five boxes. Boxes 1-4 dimensions are 4.75" in width, 12.75" in length, and 3.25" in height. Box 5 dimensions
are 6.75" in width, 12.25" in length, and 4.60" in height.
Language of Material:
English
.
Advanced notice required for access.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials were donated by the estate of Edwards H. Metcalf.
The collection is organized by item and by original number assigned before donation. Oversized decks have been arranged in
a separate, larger box.
Edwards H. Metcalf was a collector, Pepperdine University board member, and grandson of Henry Edwards Huntington (a railroad
tycoon and founder of the Huntington Library, Art Gallery, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA). He owned many small businesses
and was the president of the Huntington Land Company. He was an avid collector and donated many items to the Huntington Library.
Metcalf was born November 4, 1911 to parents John and Elizabeth Metcalf. He was the second of four children. The family lived
in Northern California. He married Jane King (April 24, 1910-May 27, 1994) and they lived in San Marino, California for many
years.He served in the Navy during the Korean War. Metcalf died in Sierra Madre, California on April 2, 2001, and he and Jane
were buried in Riverside National Cemetery (a military cemetery in Riverside, California.
He was an avid collector and in 1986 he donated 500 books and pamphlets from his T.E. Lawrence collection to Pepperdine's
Payson Library. While he was a T.E. Lawrence enthusiast, his collections were diverse, including a collection of vintage playing
cards. This collection was donated to Pepperdine University Libaries - Special Collections and University Archives after his
death.
[Box/folder# or item name], Edwards H. Metcalf Collection of Playing Cards, Collection no. 0206, Special Collections and University
Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.
The collection was arranged and described and the finding aid was created in October 2022 by Alexandra Haas, Special Collections
and University Archives intern, under the supervision of Kelsey Knox.
Majority of research for biographical notes for this finding aid was done using The World of Playing Cards (wopc.co.uk).
Rare books on the subject of playing cards that were donated to Pepperdine University with the collection can be found in
the Pepperdine Rare Books Collection.
Playing Cards: History of the pack and explanations of its many secrets by W. Gurney Benham (1931)
The Devil's Picture Books: A history of playing-cards by Mrs. John King Van Rensselaer (1895)
A Descriptive Catalogue of Playing and Other Cards in the British Museum by William Hughes Willshire, M.D. (1876)
Researches into the History of Playing Cards by Samuel Weller Singer (1816)
A History of Playing Cards and a Bibliography of Cards and Gaming by Catherine Perry Hargrave (1930)
The History of Playing Cards and Their Use in Conjuring and Card-Sharping edited by Rev. Ed. S. Taylor, B.A. (1865)
Facts and Speculations on Playing Cards by William Andrew Chatto (1808)
This collection contains decks of playing cards that were collected by Edwards H. Metcalf. The decks range in dates from the
early 1800s to the mid-1900s. Many different card games are included in the collection, such as Man-Chu, fortune telling,
and court.
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Antiques
California -- History
Germany
Italy
Japan
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History
Universities and colleges -- California -- History
Universities and colleges -- History
Pepperdine University
box 1, item 1
US Playing Co. Miniature Cards circa 1860
Physical Description: Miniature sized playing card set. Cards are gold-edged. Metal case consists of metal front and back plate with slots on either
side to connect and contain cards inside. Front plate consists of metal art that depicts what looks like a romantic couple
and a swan.
Metal case. Not sealed.
Dimensions: 1.63" x 2.94"
Quantity: 54
Original inventory number: 1
box 1, item 2
US Southern Pacific Railroad Playing Cards 1937
Physical Description: Blue case with a gold emblem logo that says "Southern Pacific Lines." Other side of case has a 9 of hearts card glued to it
with the photo of a train on it. Cards are gold-edged and have a picture of a train along a body of water riding into the
sunset. The face sides of the cards show different spots along the railroad. Two cards describe a couple of card games. Included
is a booklet that lists descriptions of all the photographs on the cards from the Sunset, Ogden, and Shasta routes.
Partially sealed. Wearing.
Dimensions: 2.88" x 3.63"
Quantity: 52
Original inventory number: 2
box 1, item 3
Swedish Modern Playing Cards undated
Physical Description: Backs of cards are pink and depict standard Swedish pattern with flowers (possibly lilies) in the center. Face cards are illustrative
while number cards remain simple.
Unsealed in case. Back of King of Clubs has damage from decimated rubber band holding the deck together.
Dimensions: 2.38" x 3.63"
Quantity: 52
Original inventory number: 4
box 1, item 4
Standard Swedish Granbergs Deck 1924-1937
Physical Description: Red-orange case. Front of case depicts words "Granbergs aktiebolac Stockholm. Spelkort tecknade av Einar Nerman." "GAB" in
script is in the middle of the case. "Stjarnkort" is labeled on the side edges of the case and "no. 201" is labeled on the
bottom edge. A swedish star is printed on the back of the case and the backs of the cards.
Deck is part of the "Nermans spelkort" decks that were in print from 1924-1937 and were designed by Einar Nerman (1888-1983).
Unsealed in case.
Dimensions: 2.57" x 3.63"
Quantity: 53
Original inventory number: 5
box 1, item 5
American Card Co. Union Playing Cards 1862
Physical Description: Housed in original telescoping box with printed wraps, though the top fastener is missing, and the interior of the box still
retains the original revenue stamp. In lieu of the traditional French suits, this deck employs patriotic symbols. Including
the text that is missing from the top of the box, the back tells the story of the deck:
"THE AMERICAN CARD CO. Confident that the introduction of NATIONAL EMBLEMS in place of Foreign, in PLAYING CARDS, will be
hailed with delight by the American People, take pleasure in presenting the UNION PLAYING CARDS. As the first and only Genuine
American Cards ever produced, in the fullest confidence that the time is not far distant when they will be the leading Card
in American market...
The Union Cards are calculated to play all the Games for which the old style of Playing Cards are used. The suits are EAGLES,
SHIELDS, STARS, AND FLAGS. GODDESS OF LIBERTY in place of Queen, COLONEL for King, MAJOR for Jack. In playing with these Cards,
they are to be called by the names the emblems represent, and as the Emblems are as familiar as household words, everywhere
among the American people, they can be used as readily the first occasion as Cards bearing Foreign emblems."
The cards appeared under the imprint of Benjamin W. Hitchcock's American Card Company. Hitchcock was the owner of a music
and publishing business that had locations at 14 Chambers St. and 165 Williams St., New York City. These addresses part of
the design on the ace of eagles. The firm issued two packs of Union Playing Cards, this one published in 1862, and a much
rarer one the following year. They were likely published to exploit and encourage patriotic sentiment in the early years of
the Civil War.
Unsealed in case. Top part of case is missing.
Dimensions: 2.69" x 3.63"
Quantity: 52
Original inventory number: 6
box 1, item 6
box 1, item 7
White Pass and Yukon Route Souvenir Playing Cards circa 1900
Physical Description: Complete set of 52 cards, a joker, and a card with a map of "The Gateway to the Golden North, The Land of Nightless Days,"
the route to the Nome Gold Fields. Encased in a two-part slipcase, the outer box of which is gilded on one side "White Pass
& Yukon Route Souvenir Playing Cards" with a card showing its pictorial backs on the other side. The playing cards commemorate
the "Scenic Railway of the World," with scenic views of Alaska's wonders. On the back of the cards is a blue, red, and gold
design with a depiction of a train on a bridge through the mountains. The edges are gilded.
Unsealed in case.
Dimensions: 2.75" x 3.63"
Quantity: 54
Original inventory number: 8
box 1, item 8
Yosemite Park Souvenir Playing Cards 1930
Physical Description: Encased in two-part slipcase, the outer of which is lettered in gilt "Souvenir Playing Cards. Published by Yosemite Park and
Curry Company. Yosemite National Park, California" and an emblem of the park and a 3 of hearts with a photograph of Hetch
Hetchy Lake printed on it. The card deck is complete and wrapped, held together with a gold sticker for The U.S. Playing Card
Company. On the outside of the wrap is the original 10 cent revenue stamp. The cards are printed with photographs of different
scenic views of Yosemite National Park. The edges are gilded.
Sealed in open casing.
Dimensions: 2.94" x 3.63"
Quantity: 54
Original inventory number: 9
box 1, item 9
English Arpak Playing Cards-Liverpool circa 1930s
Physical Description: Case and wrapping are yellowed with age. Outside of case uses red literring depicting the publisher and copyright as well
as the address for the firm, 24 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, England. On the opposite side of the case there is the color pictorial
of the back of the cards. There are remnants of the original 10 cent revenue stamp that was used to seal the case closed.
The complete deck is sealed in its original wrapping. A sample card with a corner cut away is on the outside of the wrappings,
a 6 of hearts printed in white on a black background.
Before the creation of the Arpak cards, players could "accidentally" place cards into the discard pile when suits didn't match
(e.g., placing a diamond on top of a heart). As this became more of a problem, what are called "No Revoke" cards were created
which gave all four suits a different color so you could obviously see when a mistake was made. The Arpak cards are a certain
type of No Revoke card that use a distinct black background, in contrast to the normal white, which make the cards, especially
the Royals, stand out. The Arpak cards are of a very high quality lined grade, aimed at more affluent players.
Sealed in open box.
Dimensions: 2.44" x3.63"
Quantity: 52
Original inventory number: 10
box 1, item 10
French Court Game Cards 1856
Physical Description: Cards are loose and are not held together in case or band. A ripped business card bears the note "Court cards - French - 1856
- Hand colored." Face cards depict likenesses of French nobility. Backs of cards are plain white.
These hand-colored court cards depict beautiful expressions of French nobility. No names are listed on the jack face cards,
but every suit bears the name of a famous courtier in French history on the Queens and Kings. The diamonds bear the likenesses
of Louis de Bussy d'Amboise, a gentleman courtier of King Henri III, and the Dame de Monsoreau, his paramour. Clubs depict
Marion Delorme, a famous French courtesan, and Henri Coiffier de Ruse, the Marquis of Cinq-Mars and favorite of King Louis
XIII. On the spades, we see the Comte de Brissac (the Duke of Brissac) who is likely Charles II de Cosse, the first to hold
the title, and Diane de Poitiers, King Henri II's royal mistriss and advisor. The diamonds illustrate interesting characters.
The Comtesse de Rochefort, Amice, was from England but is said to have spent the majority of her life in France. However,
she died 600 years before the conception of these cards and most other depictions lived within 200 years. It's possible she
could be a depiction of the fictional countess from the book 'La Comtesse de Rochefort Et Ses Amis' ('The Countess of Rochefort
and Her Friends'), but this book wasn't written until 1879, 23 years after the publishing of this deck. The Chever D'eon is
depicted on the King of Diamonds and was a French soldier and diplomat who lived in London in the mid- to late-1700s. Most
notably, D'eon decided to live as a woman from 1786-1810, causing such speculation that a court trial was held to determine
D'eon's gender, ruling D'eon to, in fact, be female. At this time, the stereotype of women disguising themselves as men to
join the army in pursuit of a sweetheart was widely recognized, so this D'eon being female was generally accepted. D'eon was
defended by the likes of Mary Robinson and Mary Wollstonecraft as an admirable example of "female fortitude" to which British
Women might aspire.
No case.
Dimensions: 2.25" x 3.63"
Quantity: 52
Original inventory number: 11
box 1, item 11
Swedish Miniature Playing Cards circa 1920s
Physical Description: Cards held in red-orange case but are not sealed. Front side of case bears the make of the cards 'Granbergs - Artiebolag Stockholm
- GAB - Patiencekort - Tecknade av Einar Nerman.' Opposite side includes printing of the white and red floral design on the
cardbacks and bears a an original torn 10-cent revenue stamp. 'No. 221' is printed on the bottom of the case.
Dimensions:1.82" x 2.63"
Quantity: 52
Original order number: 12
These playing cards were designed by Einar Nerman (1888-1983), a Swedish artist born in Norrkoping. He was the younger brother
of Swedish communist leader Ture Nerman. He dropped out of high school in 1905 and moved to Stockholm to study art. In 1908,
he moved to France and studied with Matisse at the Academie Matisse in Paris. He is also known for many celebrity caricatures
and cartoons and often composed music for his brother Ture's poems.
box 1, item 12
Cadiz Spanish Playing Cards 1882
Physical Description: Housed in the case it came in, a blue two-part slip case from Russel Playing Card Co. Wrapping is severely torn and bear a
revenue stamp for two cents from 1919. Cards are in great condition with printed designs on the faces. Three guides are written
in foreign languages.
Unsealed in case. Description is for the card deck not the case. The case is for a different deck that is not in the collection,
but the deck was originally in the case at time of accession and will continue to be housed within the case. The five of clubs
dates the deck to 1882, but the donor paperwork lists as 1885.
Dimensions: 2.75" x 3.88"
Quantity: 48
Original inventory number: 13
The Cadiz pattern is found in the Philippines and Hispanic America and was derived from the Spanish National pattern. It was
never popular in its home country and was made primarily for export to the colonies. Spanish suit symbols cups, swords, coins,
and clubs and are normally numbers 1-12. A pecularity found in Spanish cards is that the cups, swords, and clubs have respectively
one, two, and three gaps on the tops and bottoms of the marginal lines on every card, called pintas. Dougherty manufactured
Spanish-suited cards as early as 1849 for sale in California, Texas, Mexico, South America, and even Europe, but most surviving
examples are from later dates.
box 1, item 13
US Playing Card Co. Flags Deck 1922
Physical Description: This card game features 52 cards with 13 sets containing 4 cards each depicting a different flag on the front. It is contained
in a maroon case with the printing "1111 - FLAGS - Copyright, 1896 - The U.S. Playing Card Co. - Cincinnati, U.S.A."
Unsealed in box.
DImensions: 2.75" x 3.82"
Quantity: 55
Original inventory number: 14
In the late 1800s, Cincinnati Game Co. (eventually The U.S. Playing Card Co.) created Fireside Game Co. which produced a series
of educational card games, including Flags. The game was copyrighted in 1896 and this particular deck was printed after the
company switched to The U.S. Playing Card Co. in 1922.
box 1, item 14
English Arpak Playing Cards circa 1930s
Physical Description: No seal or casing present. Complete deck of cards including one joker and the original 6 of clubs used as the sample card
that has a corner cut away. The backs of the cards are a navy blue color with white printed design and a woman's profile in
the center. Cards have black backgrounds and each suit is a different color: hearts are red, spades are yellow, clubs are
green, and diamonds are white.
No seal. No casing.
Dimensions: 2.32" x 3.5"
Quantity: 54
Original inventory number: 16
Before the creation of Arpak cards, people would "accidentally" place cards of different suits on top of one another when
the colors matching (e.g., placing a diamond on a heart). As this became more of a problem, the development of what was called
"No Revoke" cards came about. Each suit had a different color in order to obviously see when a mistake had been rendered.
Arpak created No Revoke cards with a black background, rather than the traditional white, in order to allow these colors to
stand out more.
box 1, item 15
US Russell's Card Co. Playing Cards - Regulars 1906
Physical Description: No case and unsealed. The backs of the cards are white with blue printed design depicting four angels strumming mandolins.
Willis W. Russell's "Regulars" were first issued in 1906, a brand aimed at the armed forces in tribute to men of the "regular
army." It was patented with 'Long Distance Pips' with shading in the hearts and spades. These were a form of what is called
"No Revoke" cards that make sure cards of different suits are not played together when they shouldn't be. Russell's portrait
and signature are appear on the ace of spades, showing his pride in his merchandise.
No case. Unsealed.
Dimensions: 2.5" x 3.5"
Quantity: 52
Original inventory number: 17
box 2, item 1
BP Grimaud "Jeanne L'Hachette" Transformation Deck circa 1860
Physical Description: The case has no top or bottom. It is wrapped in a blue-green paisley print and has a sample card, the queen of diamonds, glued
to the outside. Each card is detailed and finely illustrated, the face cards in particular being colored. The Grimaud name
is printed on the jack of hearts and Tellier and Belin on the king of hearts.
Grimaud (card company) was established in 1851. A few years after establishment, they implemented a process to obtain metallic,
rounded corner cards. The original set is known by the name "Jean Hachette" and exists in two "versions": one by Grimaud and
one by Maximilian Frommann. The two versions have a number of designs in common and both were published around the same time
in the mid-19th century. The cards were designed by E. le Tellier and lithographed by Belin. The queen of spades is none other
than Joan of Arc wearing armor over a blue and yellow skirt printed with fleurs de lys. She holds an ax in her right hand
and is pointing with her left as she leads the defense of the town Beauvais in 1472 against a siege by Charles le Temeraire.
The court cards are hand-colored and the pip cards have been incorporated into an overall design, thereby "transforming" the
playing card into a miniature artwork, making this a Transformation Deck.
Unsealed. No casing. No date included on original paperwork. Research returned origin era.
Dimensions: 3" x 4.32"
Quantity: 51
Original inventory number: 18
box 2, item 2
Sommer & Seupke German Playing Cards circa 1840s
Physical Description: Cards are hand-painted, court cards depicted the king, under knave, and over knave, and pip cards depicting small scenes of
rural life. The backs of the cards are tie-dyed in pattern.
This is an original German-suited playing deck complete with 32 playing cards with suits of acorns, leaves, hearts, and bells.
The German suit system is one of the oldest, becoming popular around 1450 and influencing the typical French suits of hearts,
diamonds, spades, and clubs a few decades later. German-suited packs originally had 4 court cards per suit (King, Queen, Ober
and Unter) but the queen was dropped in the early 16th century. There are many different patterns and styles to German-suited
decks based on the area they were produced; this deck is in the Bohemian pattern which is non-reversible and lacks corner
indices. It is descended from the Old Bavarian pack (one of the oldest German-suited packs).
Unsealed. No casing. No date included in original paperwork. Date inferred based on stamps on one of the face cards. Originally
spelled in paperwork "Summer & Saupke"
Dimensions: 2" x 3.32"
Quantity: 32
Original inventory number: 19
box 2, item 3
German Playing Cards undated
Physical Description: Backs of the cards detail a red dotted design. Each ace card has an illustration of two different German cities.
This deck in particular is strange because it is listed as a German deck and is designed in the Austrian Tell pattern, but
is French-suited and a full 52 card deck (a spade is missing). It lacks corner indices but is reversible. Each ace depicts
two German cities.
No case. A spade missing.
Dimensions: 2.25" x 3.5"
Quantity: 51
Original inventory number: 20
box 2, item 4
English Duty Playing Cards 1830
Physical Description: Plain white backs. Duty tax stamp on the ace of spades. More realistic than the typical cartoonish illustrations we see on
the court cards in other decks from this maker -- perhaps a limited edition or concept art deck.
The Anglo-American pack evolved from the English pack with its Duty Ace. Playing cards were seen by kings and queens as a
ready source for revenue, particularly during wartime. So the makers, and later the purchasers, paid a tax on each pack. Instances
of the tax being raised are recorded in 1588, 1628, and from 1711 onwards until it was abolished in 1960 for being more trouble
than it was worth. 1765 is the first instance we see the tax stamp on the ace of spades that showed the tax had been paid.
This would be a forerunner to the individual maker's tax marks that were illegal until 1862. In 1828, in order to evade the
widespread evasion of tax, the duty was reduced to one shilling (12 pence) and were charged on an officially printed design,
now bearing more florals as well as a lion and a unicorn, as well as the maker's mark. This is the type of stamp we see on
this deck of cards as the ace of spades. This ace was known as the 'Old Frizzle.'
No casing.
Dimensions: 2.5" x 3.69"
Quantity: 52
Original inventory number: 21
box 2, item 5
Chicago Worlds Fair Souvenir Playing Cards 1893
Physical Description: Case is a worn red, falling apart. A portrait of Christopher Columbus is on the reverse side. The backs of the cards have
a printing of the three ships Columbus sailed. Each card has an illustration of an exhibit at the fair and the court cards
additionally have portraits illustrated in the corners.
The Chicago Worlds Fair of 1893 was referred to as "The Columbian Exposition" as it was meant to celebrate the 400 years since
Columbus discovered America. The portrait on the back of the case of Columbus and the illustration of his ships on the back
of the cards alude to this. Winters Art Lithographing Co. also created a number of advertising decks around this time for
brewing companies and distilleries based on this Worlds Fair deck, but with slight modifications to suit the advertising purposes.
Unsealed. Very worn case. Original date in paperwork listed as 1896 but these had to have been created for the Worlds Fair
in Chicago that only took place in 1893. Research confirmed this.
Dimensions: 2.5" x 3.5"
Quantity: 52
Original inventory number: 22
box 2, item 6
Chicago Worlds Fair Souvenir Playing Cards, Orange-Backed 1933
Physical Description: Bridge-sized deck with gold edges and 53 photographs of the Worlds Fair buildings printed on the fronts of the cards. Orange
back may or may not originally be a part of the case.
Unsealed in box.
Dimensions: 2.5" x 3.94"
Quantity: 55
Original inventory number: 23
Created for the Worlds Fair of 1933 in Chicago by the Western Playing Card Company in Racine, Wisconsin.
box 2, item 7
Chicago Worlds Fair Souvenir Playing Cards, Silver-Backed 1933
Physical Description: Bridge-sized deck with gold edges and the Worlds Fair buildings printed on the fronts of the cards.
Created for the Worlds Fair of 1933 in Chicago by the Western Playing Card Company in Racine, Wisconsin.
Unsealed in box.
Dimensions: 2.5" x 3.82"
Quantity: 54
Original inventory number: 24
box 2, item 8
Italian Fortune Telling Cards undated
box 2, item 9
Teuila Fortune Telling Cards 1923
Physical Description: Green two-part slip case, worn but in good condition. Includes a pamphlet describing how to use and interpret the cards.
Created by Isolbel Field, artist and writer, who lived in Hawaii for a time and produced by US Playing Card Company in Cincinnati,
Ohio.
Hawaiian. Unsealed in case.
Dimensions: 2.63" x 3.60"
Quantity: 45 (complete)
Original inventory number: 27
box 2, item 10
Revelation Fortune Telling Cards, Deck One 1919
Physical Description: Worn but still in tact brown case. No guidebook. Includes the back of the cards glued on the outside of the box. Cards have
gold edges.
Produced by US Playing Card Company.
The 52 cards in the deck can be used as regular playing cards, but there are fortunes printed on the upper and lower edges
of the cards. The deck can be used for divination purposes, using the same methods as the standard 78-card tarot deck. No
booklet in this item, but the other two related items have a booklet that describes all the games you can play with this deck.
Unsealed in casing. No date mentioned in original paperwork but research confirmed these decks were produced in 1919.
Dimensions: 2.88" x 3.63"
Quantity (total with items 11 and 12 in box 2): 156 (complete)
Original inventory number: 28.1
box 2, item 11
Revelation Fortune Telling Cards, Deck Two 1919
Physical Description: Great condition. Brown two-part slip case. Gold edges. Booklet present and in good condition.
Produced by US Playing Card Company.
The 52 cards in the deck can be used as regular playing cards, but there are fortunes printed on the upper and lower edges
of the cards. The deck can be used for divination purposes using the same methods as the standard 78-card tarot deck. The
booklet included informs the player how to use the cards for different games.
Unsealed in casing. No date described in original paperwork but research confirmed these were produced in 1919.
Dimensions: 2.82" x 3.69"
Quantity (total with items 10 and 12 in box 2): 156 (complete)
Original inventory number: 28.2
box 2, item 12
Revelation Fortune Telling Cards, Deck Three 1919
Physical Description: Worn. Brown. Two-part slip case where the top part is partially missing. Gold edges. Booklet present.
Produced by US Playing Card Company.
The 52 cards in the deck can be used as regular playing cards, but there are fortunes printed on the upper and lower edges
of the cards. The deck can be used for divination purposes using the same methods as the standard 78-card tarot deck. Booklet
included informs the player how to use the deck to play certain games.
Unsealed in casing. No date is included in the original paperwork but research confirmed these items were produced in 1919.
Dimensions: 2.82" x 3.63"
Quantity (total with items 10 and 11 in box 2): 156 (complete)
Original inventory number: 28.3
box 2, item 13
Belgian Playing Cards 1933
box 2, item 14
Japanese American Cupid Mini Playing Cards 1933
Physical Description: Miniature green two-part slip case. Gold printing on the front reads "No. 807 - Trump Hana Cupid Brand - The Cupid Brand Playing
Card Co." The cards are split diagonally with a Japanese design on one side and the French suit on the other. There is a revenue
stamp for 120 yen on the outside of the case.
W.W. '34
Unsealed in casing.
Dimensions: 2.13" x 2.69"
Quantity: 53 (complete) and 1 sample
Original inventory number: 32
box 2, item 15
Japanese American Dominoes Playing Cards 1933
Physical Description: Bright blue two-part slip case in good condition. Two revenue stamps in Japanese on outside of box. Printing on box is in
English. Cards are gold-edged. Booklet included informs player how to play many games with the dominoes cards.
Dimensions: 2.63" x 3.69"
Quantity: 55 (complete)
Original inventory number: 33
From Japan but made by US Playing Card Co. W.W. '34.
box 3, item 1
Batavian Playing Cards 1934
Physical Description: Case is cardboard with detailed red printing of illustrations. Backs of cards are pink with a floral red design and say "Gumprich
& Strauss, Batavia." across the top and bottom. Corners are gold edged. Aces depict scenes of dutch cities and colonies. Kings
and queens are Dutch royalty and Jacks are soldiers. Joker is finely illustrated.
B. Dondorf created this chromolithographed deck for Gumprich & Strauss in Batavia, Java, now Jakarta, where the aces depict
scenes from the Dutch East Indies during the colonial period. The deck was published to commemmorate the second marriage of
King William III with Princess Emma of Waldeck-Pyrmont on January 7, 1879. The Kings and Queens are members of the Dutch royal
family and the Jacks are Dutch soldiers (hearts = artillery, diamonds = cavalry, spades = infantry, clubs = marines). The
Jack of clubs has a small Dondorf logo. The deck was published into the 1930s with small indices (A,K,D,B) added c.1910. This
deck has the indices.
Batavia Aces with views of country. Gumprich & Strauss of Batavia (gotten in gambling casino by W. Wilde).
Dimensions: 2.07" x 3.63"
Quantity: 53 (complete)
Original inventory number: 34
box 3, item 2
Japanese Hanafuda Playing Cards 1934
Physical Description: One large case encompasses two smaller cases with each deck in them. Writing is all in Japanese. Illustrations on the cases
and the cards all depict florals, animals, and nature. Only one card has a person on it.
Hanafuda, or flower cards, are a type of Japanese playing card. They are typically smaller than Western playing cards, roughly
2" x 1.25", but are thicker and stiffer. On the face of each card is a plant, animal, bird, or a man-made object. Only one
depicts a human. The backs are normally plain and typically are colored red or black (this deck is red). There are 48 cards
in one deck that are broken up into twelve suits, representing the months of they year. Each suit is designated a flower and
has 4 cards. An extra blank card may be included to use as a replacement (this deck has a blank card).
Playing cards were introduced to Japan by Portugal in the mid-16th century. The Portuguese deck consisted of 48 cards with
4 suits of twelve cards each. The first Japanese decks mimicked these. After Japan broke off contact with the Western world
in 1633, foreign playing cards were banned. In 1648, gambling became a favorite pasttime in Japan and whenever a particular
design of playing cards was seen to be used for gambling the government would ban it, prompting a new design to be made. Cards
became so widely used for gambling that they were eventually banned altogether in 1791. The earliest known reference to early
Hanafuda cards was in 1816 when it was a recorded banned gambling tool. In the Meiji period (1868-1912) playing cards became
tolerated by authorities. The company Nintendo was originally created in 1889 for the purposes of producing and selling hand-crafted
Hanafuda.
Bought by W. Wilde. 2 small boxes encased in 1 large box. 1 unwrapped, 1 wrapped with broken seal.
Dimensions: 2.69" x 3.5"
Quantity (total both decks): 96 (complete)
Original inventory number: 35
box 3, item 3
Angel Backs Gem No. 53 circa 1909
Physical Description: Case is white and printed blue. Front and back are printe with a design labelling "Squeezers - Gem No. 53 Playing Cards -
N.Y. Consolidated Card Co." One edge specifies they are Angel Backs. The backs of the cards are also printed blue with angel
designs. Wrapping is torn, but the cards are sealed. The outside of the case has a U.S. Revenue tag on it that is stamped
with "CANCELLED 1909."
Squeezers were originally printed by the New York Consolidated Card Company before it was bought out by the Consolidated-Dougherty
branch of the USPCC. Squeezers traditionally came in several back designs, but only the most popular (the famous Bulldog and
Angel Back) are still printed. These cards are only printed occasionally, unlike many of the other USPCC playing cards.
Sealed.
Dimensions: 2.44" 3.38"
Original inventory number: 36
box 3, item 4
Medicaer Spielkarte No. 272 Italian Playing Cards circa 1920
Physical Description: Two part slip case. White. Queen of hearts glued to one side and the back of the cards on the other. Backs of cards are printed
with a red and gold design. Corners are gold-gilded. Scenic aces and kings and queens are Italian nobles.
This deck is finely lithographed and printed by Dondorf GmbH. Their theme is derived from historical and political events
as well as artistic patrons from the Italian Renaissance. The court cards depict membersof the powerful Florentine dynasty
of the Medici family. These are taken from oil paintings by Bronzino, Sustermans, and Pourbus. The scenic aces illustrate
buildings that are relevant to the Medici dynasty. The deck uses the French standard suit system. They were producted between
1913 and 1933.
Firenze, Italia. [Florence, Italy]. Unsealed.
Dimensions: 2.69" x 3.75"
Original inventory number: 37
box 3, item 5
Piatnik No. 162 Austrian Playing Cards circa 1940
Physical Description: White case with blue printing. Cards have gold-gilded corners and are sealed. Green seal is written in German but bears the
date 1934.
Piatnik is an Austrian playing card and board game company founded in 1824. In 1939, it was incorporated into the family limited
partnership Wiener Spielkarenfabrik Ferd. Piatnik & Sons, which is labeled on the card wrapping.
In open box with sealed cards.
Dimensions: 2.25" x 4"
Original inventory number: 38
box 3, item 6
Hand-painted Italian Tarot Cards undated
Physical Description: Thick cardstock. No case. Backs of cards are printed with what looks like a family seal. All cards, major and minor arcana,
are hand painted. The four of coins is printed with a symbol in the middle that says "Carte Fine in Firenze."
Tarot cards likely originated in northern Italy during the late 14th or early 15th century. These cards are likely not that
old, but do come from Florence in northern Italy. It was first developed as a card game then used for divinatory practices
by the 18th century. The earliest tarot cards were hand-painted, but the backs of these cards are all identical so it is inferred
that these were produced during the time when mass printing was available, but not yet in multiple colors.
No casing.
Dimensions: 2.32" x 4.07"
Quantity: 68
Original inventory number: 39
box 3, item 7
Gamecock Kem Cards circa 1940
Physical Description: Black metal casing. Two wrapped decks within contain the KEM cards . There is also a booklet on the history of KEM cards and
the proper way to clean them. Each deck has a revenue stamp on the plastic from 1940. Backs of the cards have nature graphic
designs.
KEM Cards began producsing cards during the early 1930s. They are made of bendable and washable cellulose acetate. They were
created as playing cards before that were made of paper would be torn and bent easily and were the a germ-carrier second only
to the dollar bill. Kem cards are plastic and able to be washed, making them the cleanest playing cards. The revenue stamp
on the decks was only produced in 1940, so it is safe to assume the decks were made about that time.
2 decks in plastic case; 1 sealed, 1 unsealed.
Dimensions: 2.57" x 3.69"
Original inventory number: 41
box 3, item 8
Swiss No.40D. Doppelköpfig Playing Cards undated
Physical Description: The card backs and the case are completely kight blue with dark blue printings. The cards are wrapped and sealed with a gold
stamp. The corners are gold-gilded. The deck is German-suited.
Doppelkopf is a German card game that has been played since the early 20th century. It is a trick-taking game for four players.
A card deck consists of 48 or 40 cards. This deck is German-suited.
Sealed in case.
Dimensions: 2.25" x 3.5"
Original inventory number: 42
box 3, item 9
La Suisse Historique No.33 Playing Cards circa 1920
Physical Description: The case is a muted green-blue color with the portrait of a woman on the front. Printer information is also printed on the
case. The backs of the cards have a floral design with the swiss red cross in the middle. Court cards are double ended and
have different costumes on both ends. Aces are scenic. Card corners are gold-gilded.
This is a Swiss Cantons souvenir deck designed by Melchior Annen (1868-1954) and manufactured by J. Muller & Cie in c. 1920.
There are scenic aces and different costumes on each end of the court cards. New machinery allowed for twelve-color chromo-lithography
printing which allowed a wider assortment of playing cards to be produced.
No. 33 Whist a 53 cartes.
Dimensions: 2.5" x 3.69"
Quantity: 53
Original inventory number: 43
box 3, item 10
Hand-painted Italian Fortune Telling Cards undated
Physical Description: No case. Thick cardstock. Hand painted. Backs are simple design of blue print.
Tarot cards were likely created in northern Italy in the late 14th-century to early 15th-century. They started as a card gane
and by the early 18th-century were used for divinatory purposes. The earliest tarot cards were hand-painted. This deck is
printed but hand-painted in color. There is no indication of where in Italy is was printed, but the styles of the drawings
are almost identical to the other Italian tarot deck in this collection (Box 3, Item 6), so it can be inferred that the two
are related.
No seal, no case.
Dimensions: 2.25" x 3.75"
Quantity: 52
Original inventory number: 44
box 3, item 11
Piatnik Folklore No. 169 Deck 1934
Physical Description: There is no case but the deck is in its original wrapping in near mint condition. The wrapping is white and the print is a
yellow-brown color with the printer and deck information on it. There are two circles cut out on one side so a stamp could
be put on the ace card.
Piatnik first started producing a non-standard "Folklore No. 169" deck in 1934. The court cards depict traditional costumes
from Austria's states. The aces and backs are decorated with flowers.
Sealed.
Dimensions: 2.44" x 3.63"
Quantity: 54
Original inventory number: 45
box 3, item 12
Piatnik No.100 Ornament-Rückseik Deck 1934
Physical Description: No casing. Wrapping in near-mint condition. Never opened. White wrapping with dark blue printing of printer and deck information.
Based on the wrapping of the deck, this is a No. 100 deck by Piatnik. They started printing these in 1934, as evident from
the sticker holding the wrapping together, but it is impossible to know for sure without damaging the wrapping to find the
ace of spades.
Sealed.
Dimensions: 2.5" x 3.75"
Quantity: 52
Original inventory number: 46
box 4, item 1
Baraja Taurina Bullfighting Deck circa 1950
Physical Description: Box is in great condition but discolored. Blue printing with the deck information and the card back design of a bull with
a flipped cowboy hat. All cards have oil paintings of different bullfighters and bulls in and out of action. Manufacturer
details are on the Joker.
Originally published by Enrique Guerrero in 1949 in red or blue hard boxes and eventually published as Poker Taurino in cardboard
tuck boxes. This one does not match either and might be a demo deck. The oil paintings are by Carlos Ruano Llopis, a Spanish
bull-fight artist from Valencia who had emigrated to Mexico during the Spanish Civil War. It was also published in a Spanish-suited
version.
Oleos de Carlos Ruano Llopis, Mexico. Unsealed in case. Originally undated.
Dimensions: 2.57" x 3.57"
Quantity: 53
Original inventory number: 47
box 4, item 2
Angel Backs Squeezers No.35 1915
Physical Description: Case is in great shape, though a little worn. White with blue print of deck and printer information and card back on the backside.
Deck itself is still wrapped and sealed. There is a revenue stamp on the outside with a cancelled mark on it from 1915.
By 1877, Squeezers were a gresat success on account of little indices in the corners which enabled the cards to be held in
a fan, or "squeezed."By the late 1870s incdices came into common use on English and American cards. Many versions of the Ace
of Spades are known. The brand usually comes with the 'Gold Medal Joker,' but the earliest editions had the 'Best Bower.'
The revenue stamp is cancelled out circa 1915.
Second Quality. Sealed.
Dimensions: 2.63" x 3.57"
Original inventory number: 48
box 4, item 3
Angel Backs Squeezers Gem No. 53 circa 1890
Physical Description: Case is present but ripped open. It is white with red printing and design of deck identifiers. Wrappings completely disintegrated
upon opening. Backs of the cards have red angel designs of the Angel Back Squeezers. There is a slip on paper with a notice
that says "Sorted by 1890" and asks for any misprinted packs to be returned to the publisher. The joker is imbued with the
"Best Bower" design that is common of early printings of this deck.
Squeezers were used for their indices in the corners, making them easy to fan, or 'squeeze.' By the end of the 1870s, indices
had become common in English and American playing cards.
Unsealed in worn case.
Dimensions: 2.5" x 3.38"
Quantity: 53
Original inventory number: 49
box 4, item 4
Hand-painted Italian Al Cigno Cards circa 1840s
Physical Description: No case or wrapping. Cards are long and a thinker board paper. They are handpainted. The ace of coins bears a duty stamp and
the four of cups is inscribed "CARTE FINE."
These cards are a typical set of playing cards using an Italian-suited deck consistig of coins, swords, cups, and clubs (like
a baton). There is a duty stamp on the ace of coins with the text "ASSO DI DENARI" and "R.C.A." and the value is "BAJ. 5"
(5 Baiocchi) which is a subdivision of the Roman scudo, the currency of the Papal States until 1866. This specific stamp was
used in the Papal States from aroundd 1840 to 1850.
Unsealed. No case.
Dimensions: 1.94" x 3.57"
Quantity: 40
Original inventory number: 50
box 4, item 5
29 Fauntleroy Miniatures circa 1929
Physical Description: Small white case in good condition with red printing.US Revenue Stamp on the case. Back of cards have red design.
This deck is considered a deck used for the game 'patience,' so named as it is "regarded as an exercise in patience." These
games eventually became known as 'solitaire,' but patience is typically played with two or more players where the goal is
to arrange the cards in a systematic order. They are called Fauntleroys as the Jokers represent the character from Frances
Hodgson's children's novel "Little Lord Fauntleroy." Research was able to date the publication of the deck to 1929 based on
the lot number and revenue stamp.
Unsealed in case. Originally undated.
Dimensions: 1.82" x 2.57"
Quantity: 53
Original inventory number: 51
box 4, item 6
29 Fauntleroy Miniatures, Golden Edges circa 1922
Physical Description: Small, white, and worn case with gold printing. There is an original tax stamp that was only produced in 1922 that gives us
an approximate date of publication. The cards are gold-edged and have a blue pattern on the back. The joker depicts Little
Lord Fauntleroy from the novel.
Fauntleroy's were given their name due to the decpiction of Little Lord Fauntleroy from the novel of the same name on the
Joker. Many other Fauntleroy's also had a number of special backs depicting a scene from the novel.
Sealed, in case. Originally undated.
Dimensions: 1.75" x 2.57"
Original inventory number: 52
box 4, item 7
Spanish Miniature Plaidbacks undated
Physical Description: No case and no wrapping. The cards are loose and printed on the back with a plaid pattern over stamps that are now impossible
to read. The swords, cups and clubs all have breaks in the bordering around in face sides of the cards.
The knight of cups is printed with the archaic phrase "ahi va" that many decks of the Cadiz pattern use, so it is safe to
infer that thi is a Cadiz deck. There is a stamp on the backs of the cards, but they are printed over with the plaid backs
that make it impossible to read.
No case. Unsealed.
Dimensions: 1.32" x 2"
Quantity: 35
Original inventory number: 53
box 4, item 8
French BP Grimaud Deck undated
Physical Description: No case or wrapping. Cards are loose and have red designed angel backs. The ace of spades has a large spade stamp with "B.P.
Grimaud Paris" printed on it.
Grimaud playing cards are a brand of playing cards published by France Cartes Cartamundi originally produced by Baptiste-Paul
Grimaud starting in 1851. These cards are likely from the early 1900s.
Paris. No case. Unsealed.
Dimensions: 2.5" x 3.44"
Quantity: 52
Original inventory number: 54
box 5, item 1
US Artists & Writers Guild Royal Revelers Cards 1932
Physical Description: Two part hard case, bottom red, top black with four of court cards depicted on the front cover. On the inside top and bottom
there are stamps of Edwards Huntington Metcalf's address and the date of the decks and two revenue stamps. There are two decks
of cards, both gold-edged. One has red backs with a female joker and the other are blue with a male joker. The pip cards are
normal, but all the court cards show people with glasses for different sorts of alcoholic drinks in various levels of intoxication.
Language of Material: English.
This deck was printed by Brown & Bigelow in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1932 to help fight to the repeal prohibition amendment
to the constitution. The court cards all show people with glasses for different sorts of alcoholic drinks, some of them already
seeming to have drunk quite a lot.
St. Paul Minn. Oversized box. 2 decks; 1 sealed, 1 unsealed.
Dimensions: 3.75" x 4.75"
Quantity (total, both decks): 104
Original inventory number: 3
box 5, item 2
Man-Chu Playing Card Set circa 1923
Physical Description: Large red case with a golden dragon on their side. The lid is torn apart and no longer functional. Both decks are present
but the playing pieces are missing. The decks are gold-edged and the backs are a vibrant yellow color with a red printed dragon.
The faces of the cards have various chinese designs. There is also a rule book.
Language of Material: English.
Originally from China. US Playing Card Co. Broken box. 2 sets of cards with instructions. Oversized box.
Dimensions: 4" x 8.07"
Quantity (total, both decks): 144
Original inventory number: 26
Man-Chu was originally published in 1923 and it doesn't seem any other printings were produced. The deck is incredibly rare.
box 5, item 3
Nineteenth Century Cards, Educational Set 1933
Physical Description: Case is a blue printed envelope that is starting to fall apart and can reasonably hold together the deck while in storage.
There are 5 sets of cards for each region with 6 examples per set as well as an informational card for each set that has the
history of each card.
Language of Material: English.
Educational deck from 1933 with examples of playing cards from France, Germany, England and America, Italy, and Spain in the
19th century.
Miscellaneous Cards. Examples of many types of 19th century cards. Oversized box.
Dimensions: 4.25" x 6.32"
Quantity: 30
Original inventory number: 29
box 5, item 4
Queen's Doll House English Postcards 1924
Physical Description: The two-part slip case is broken but still works. The only embellishment on the case is "The Queen's Dolls' House Postcards"
and "Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd. - Publishers to Their Majesties the King & Queen - Raphael House, Moorfields, London, EC2."
The postcards are in the original order they were printed as if to take a tour of the inside of the house. The Drawing Room
postcard is missing and there is a card depicting The Queen's Bed that is not listed in the original order.
Language of Material: English.
The prestigious contract to produce official postcards for the Queen Mary's Dolls' House was won by Tuck's Post Cards (Raphael
Tuck & Sons Ltd.) The total number of cards produced by Tuck was 48 in six sets of eight. Consecutive sets of eight were sold
in printed brown paper packs and there was also a special box made in blue cloth-effect that hekd around 32 postcards and
a red postcard album that held all 48. This set is a full 48 cards and does fit in the blue box only meant to hold 32 cards.
However, The Drawing Room card is missing and there happens to be an extra card depicting The Queen's Bed that is not listed
in the official set of cards.
The Dolls' House was a gift for Queen Mary, wife of King George V. It was the idea of the king's cousin, Princess Marie Louise,
who knew the queen loved collecting miniature items. Begun in 1921 and finished in 1924, it was designed by the princess's
friend, the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, with tiny contents made perfectly to scale.
One of the most interesting parts of this house is the library as a royal house of the 1920s would not be complete without
one. There are nearly 600 miniature books included in the library. A Sherlock Holmes story was sent by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
and Rudyard Kipling, author of The Jungle Book, sent in many of his poems and decorated them with illustrations in black ink.
London.
Dimensions: 3.75" x 5.69"
Original inventory number: 40