USPC Congress 606 Playing Cards, Russell & Morgan, "Good Night" Matching Joker c.1900

Antiques : Playing Cards U.S : Uspc Congress 606

 

Excellent, rare deck of Congress 606 playing cards, made by United States Playing Card Co., at Russell & Morgan Factories, c.1900. The Ace of Spades used in this deck is said by Dawson/Hochman to be "[t]he earliest USPC, Russell & Morgan Factories Ace of Spades." The backs are of a painting showing a little girl in a nightgown and cap with a candle, undoubtedly an American painting of that approximate time, although I do not recognize it. The Joker is a matching Joker, matching the backs, with the title "Good NIght" at the bottom, which I assume is the title of the painting on the backs.

The cards are gold gilt on all sides and in excellent condition, with approximately half of the gold gilt intact. I have shown the fronts of all cards in the photographs. The cards are in their original telescope box. Both parts of the box -- insert and sleeve -- are in excellent shape, although a prior owner has written in ink on the front of the box ("1 joker -- complete cet [sic]"). Some of the original tax stamp is in place, and I believe that it indicates cancellation in 1901 by "U.S.P.C. Co," but cannot be sure. The deck is a full 52 cards, plus the "Good Night" joker described. It is a wide deck, measuring 90mm x 63mm.

Reference: Dawson, The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards (2000) p.87, US6c.

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Item ID: T0000151