Gray LIthographing “Anheuser-Busch Spanish American War” Playing Cards, c.1898

Antiques : Playing Cards U.S : Gray "Anheuser-busch Spanish American War"

 

Good and complete set of the outstanding cards commemorating the end of the Spanish American War, made by Gray Lithographing for Anheuser Busch c.1898. The deck features a terrific Uncle Sam Joker, 4 Aces that portray medals/awards won by Anheuser Busch, and court cards that portray U.S. heroes of the Spanish American War. The Jacks each portray two different prominent persons from that War, and the Kings portray one. Two of the Queens depict prominent women in the War – Clara Barton (Spades) and Queen Christina of Spain (Hearts) – while the Queen of Clubs depicts “Our Colonies” and the Queen of Diamonds depicts “Columbia,” the first popular and poetic name for the United States. Teddy Roosevelt shares the Jack of Spades with Brig. General Shafter. The spot cards all are set off against a background illustration of the Anheuser Busch factory, done in light brown.

The deck is complete with 52 cards, plus the Uncle Sam Joker noted. The cards measure 89mm x 64mm, and have gold gilt around. The cards came to me in a fabric container that I believe to be original, with metal slots inside to hold the cards in place and a snap on the outside to enable the case to close around them.

The condition of the cards is no better than good. They have seen at least moderate use. There is a pronounced crease across the middle of the Jack of Diamonds (separately pictured), and milder creases at the corners of two other court cards (King of Spades, King of Clubs). In addition, the metal slot inside the fabric container has been harmful to the cards causing an abrasion at one corner of the backs of a number of the cards (representative sample of backs pictured), and some staining to the face sides of some of the same cards at the same approximate places. On the positive side, the deck is generally clean for its age, and the printing is still very bright, clear and striking. Perhaps 25% of the gold gilt remains. The container for the cards is likewise in good condition, worn but functional.

References: Dawson, The Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, pp.182, A9, and 219, W15

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Item ID: T0000471