Piroxloid Products Corporation “Celluloid” Playing Cards, c.1928

Excellent set of one of the earliest 100% plastic cards, made c.1928 by a company first called The Celluloid Co. and shortly after called Piroxloid Products Corporation. The box advertises that they are “washable” and “Will Last Indefinitely.” As the Dawson/Hochman Encyclopedia notes, this promise is not exactly true, as “the card design rubs off with use.” The Encyclopedia goes on to note that in 1928 “these cards sold for $3.50 when a deck of ordinary cards sold for between 10¢ to 50¢ per pack.” I have sold several of these decks and it is true that the ink would wear off over time, but there is little evidence of it with this deck. By 1935, when Kem cards were first made, the technology had improved considerably.

The deck has 52 cards, plus 1 Joker. The cards are slightly thin bridge size, measuring 88mm x 56mm, and come in the original telescope type box.

The cards are in excellent condition. The box is in no better than good condition, with considerable wear and some soiling.

Reference: Dawson, The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, p.295, O4a

Thanks for visiting.