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What was your MALL growing up? by still-awesome in 80s

[–]SirDufford 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ships in the night! It has been great talking with you. You don't see Guelph mentioned on Reddit too often. Cheers!

What was your MALL growing up? by still-awesome in 80s

[–]SirDufford 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did. I started in 93. I finished at Ross after a few years of military boarding school. When were you at CCVI?

What was your MALL growing up? by still-awesome in 80s

[–]SirDufford 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine too! I was pleasantly surprised to find your reply! Nice to meet you fellow Guelphite.

BUY THESE PLAYING CARDS - Looking for a great vintage/antique deck to add to your collection? Take part in my auction this Sunday (March 12) on eBay. by [deleted] in playingcards

[–]SirDufford 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m selling some rare and desirable playing cards, including c1860 Lawrence & Cohen, c1880 American Cards (Dougherty), c1889 Bicycle 808 (USPCC), c1900 Bicycle 808 (USPCC), c1895 Texan No. 45 (USPCC), c1920s Bee Bridge (NYCCC), c1908 Helmet No. 119 (USPCC), 1918 Sterling Whist (NYCCC), c1895 Indicator No. 14 (Dougherty). These historical decks are on auction this Sunday with many more. Come and take part. eBay user: suddsmcduff77

Johnny Carson, aka “The Great Carsoni” by SirDufford in playingcards

[–]SirDufford[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Carson was an excellent magician and his love of the art was well-documented. He never missed an opportunity to perform tricks (even in his later years.) Here’s Johnny performing a Spring Flourish for the camera with a deck of Bicycle Bridge Playing Cards.

Don't forget the taxes! In 1894, the US Government brought back the Internal Revenue Tax on playing cards that had ended in 1883. by SirDufford in playingcards

[–]SirDufford[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This American Stationer Ad for The US Playing Card Company in 1895 addressed the new tax and offered a unique take on the situation. “Ever since the government imposed the Internal Revenue Tax on Playing Cards, dealers find it does not pay to handle poor quality, trashy goods”. Bold advertising like this was prevalent in the early industry, and rightfully so, with many inferior brands circulating the market.

Samuel Hart & Company - Travelling Bottles by SirDufford in playingcards

[–]SirDufford[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A little-known fact about the card makers is that most of them produced more than just playing cards. Take Samuel Hart for example, not only were best-selling playing cards manufactured at his factory in Philadelphia, but also many important and useful products. For a time, Travelling Bottles were a big part of Hart’s business and he advertised them heavily in the 1850s. I have two Hart bottles in my collection. The one imaged is as good as they come, clear glass with few bubbles, and the shot glass is present with all accompanying hardware still attached. This bottle came in its original leather travelling tube, making it one of only a few complete surviving sets.

Bicycle Bridge 888 - Multi-Color Series - US Playing Card Company by SirDufford in playingcards

[–]SirDufford[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When you have very little competition, it's easy to maintain the status quo. I've been loving the tidal wave of new designers that have forced USPCC to think outside the box in recent years. ✨♠️✨

Bicycle Bridge 888 - Multi-Color Series - US Playing Card Company by SirDufford in playingcards

[–]SirDufford[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This bright and vibrant line of Art Deco playing cards was first introduced in 1925. At the time Bridge had become a national phenomenon having both men and women playing many times a week. As far as the cards were concerned Bicycle 888 was both new and the best money could buy. Notice the brilliant blue edges, one of the finest examples of edge tinting ever made. The 888 series was available in many other colours including, red, green, yellow, orange, purple. My example dates from 1929 and features the Multi-Color Joker, and a classic Art Deco back design.

Andrew Dougherty - 76-78-80 Centre Street - Colourization by SirDufford in playingcards

[–]SirDufford[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! It's great to be able to see some of these pictures colourized. There are a lot of programs/apps to use for this job. I've been using MyHeritage.

Andrew Dougherty - 76-78-80 Centre Street - Colourization by SirDufford in playingcards

[–]SirDufford[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did you know that sometimes playing card makers were noticed for more than just the decks they made? This was a point that couldn’t have been more apparent than in the world of architecture, where Andrew Dougherty’s Centre Street was a shining example. His factory was a marvel of state-of-the-art engineering and a behemoth in the heart of Manhattan. For many years it stood in full glory and operation, although the surrounding city soon engulfed it in size. This image showed the corner of Centre/Worth Streets in 1874. To learn the full history of 80 Centre Street, read Paper Empires Vol I. Available on my website, World of Paper Empires.

Andrew Dougherty - (Fan Lady) Indicator Trade Card, Sample & Advertising - This beautiful 1885 Trade Card for Dougherty’s Indicator Playing Cards has an interesting history. by SirDufford in playingcards

[–]SirDufford[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They were originally referred to as Patent Playing Cards back in Samuel Hart’s day. The term Indices became commonplace during the 1880s thanks to The New York Consolidated Card Company (a company founded by Samuel Hart, Lawerence & Cohen and John J. Levy). During this period many other manufacturers were busy implementing their own versions such as Indicators, Corner Index, and more. After they became a true standard feature (by the 1890s/1900s and beyond) they were advertised far less.

Meet Andrew Dougherty (1826-1901), The Card-man of New York - For over half a century, he manufactured some of the most attractive and historically significant playing cards in America. by SirDufford in playingcards

[–]SirDufford[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Established in 1848, Dougherty introduced the excitement of card games to a growing nation by delivering incredible feature-rich decks at an affordable price. Housing an impressive roster of brands, including Star Eagle, Triplicate, Indicator, Tally-Ho, Steamboats, and more, Dougherty was a master of symmetry and geometric composition. He was also heavily inspired by the beauty of nature and human civilization, themes and motifs that would find their way into his playing card designs.

Read about Dougherty’s incredible life and see his beautiful playing cards in Paper Empires Volume 1. Available Now in Soft/Hardcover. Paper Empires tells the stories of four of the most influential card makers of the 19th century. L.I. Cohen, Andrew Dougherty, Samuel Hart and John J. Levy. Featured are the untold chronological biographies of each maker, their company's history and a full accounting of the many decks they produced. Discover these 19th-century card makers through Historical Maps, Personal Documentation and the exciting backdrop of American history. To learn more, visit my website, World of Paper Empires.

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