Indicator No.50
No.50 appears at the bottom of the Ace of Spades and the cards have corner indices and miniature suit symbols in the corners.
![](https://www.wopc.co.uk/images/boxes/indicator-50.jpg)
Indicators, patented in 1883, soon became the standard for use in all Dougherty decks. The first deck in this brand was issued in 1894. They proved to be one of Dougherty's biggest sellers for over 35 years. Several new brands were created using the Indicator Ace of Spades with merely a change of name on the box, also in narrower sized decks for Bridge and Whist, and with various types of Joker. In the example shown here, No.50 appears at the bottom of the Ace of Spades and the cards have corner indices and miniature suit symbols in the corners.
![A. Dougherty's 'Indicator No.50' playing cards, c.1896 A. Dougherty's 'Indicator No.50' playing cards, c.1896](https://www.wopc.co.uk/images/countries/usa/dougherty/indicator-50.jpg)
Above: A. Dougherty’s 'Indicator No.50' playing cards, c.1896. The back design appears to be inspired by the work of the English card back designer, Owen Jones. Dougherty is reckoned to have copied back designs of Owen Jones and others. However, an almost identical design was published by as Charles Bartlet some years earlier. Images courtesy Rod Starling.
See: Montgomery Ward & Co Catalogue Spring & Summer 1895►
![A. Dougherty's 'Indicator No.50' playing cards A. Dougherty's 'Indicator No.50' playing cards](https://www.wopc.co.uk/images/countries/usa/dougherty/indicator-50-2.jpg)
Above: slightly later edition of Dougherty’s 'Indicator No.50' with different indices and tinted faces. Images courtesy Matt Probert.
![](https://www.wopc.co.uk/images/countries/usa/dougherty/dougherty-artwork.jpg)
REFERENCES
Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000
Hargrave, Catherine Perry: A History of Playing Cards and a Bibliography of Cards and Gaming, Dover Publications, New York, 1966
![avatar](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/rod-starling/rod-starling.4c5e745c.png)
By Rod Starling
Member since January 09, 2013
Rod Starling was one of the founding members of the 52 Plus Joker card collectors club. He authored many articles for the club's quarterly newsletter, Clear the Decks. His collection encompasses both foreign and American decks. Rod also authored a book titled The Art and Pleasures of Playing Cards.
Trending Articles
Popular articles from the past 28 days
Related Articles
![Woodblock and Stencil Joker Woodblock and Stencil Joker](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/shop/art-prints/Joker.03bfcc2c.jpg)
Woodblock and Stencil Joker
A limited edition art print of the 1984 woodblock joker.
![Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/shop/art-prints/QC.125a93bb.jpg)
Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
![Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/shop/art-prints/JC---non-standard.bcc74f52.jpg)
Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs
A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.
![Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/shop/art-prints/KD.878ded91.jpg)
Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds
A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.
![Classification of Numeral Card Designs in French-suited packs Classification of Numeral Card Designs in French-suited packs](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/adamwintle/13183-classification-of-numeral-card-designs-in-french-suited-packs/images/cover.ad1de4b3.jpg)
Classification of Numeral Card Designs in French-suited packs
The classification of numeral cards in French-suited packs, covering various pip designs in over 400...
![Warner Bros 100<sup>th</sup> Anniversary Warner Bros 100<sup>th</sup> Anniversary](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/13179-warner-bros-100th-anniversary/images/warner-bros-0.24535000.jpg)
Warner Bros 100th Anniversary
An array of famous characters from Warner Bros films in celebration of the company’s centenary.
![Go Green playing cards Go Green playing cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/13146-go-green-playing-cards/images/go-green-0.b63fc839.jpg)
Go Green playing cards
Suggestions how to “go green” and help combat the impact of climate change.
![North American wildlife playing cards North American wildlife playing cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/13143-north-american-wildlife-playing-cards/images/north-american-wildlife-0.3aebcdbe.jpg)
North American wildlife playing cards
From humid wetlands to frozen tundra, the wildlife in North America is extremely diverse.
![Why our playing-cards look the way they do Why our playing-cards look the way they do](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/adamwintle/13126-why-our-playing-cards-look-the-way-they-do/images/cover-2.e51ea87f.jpg)
Why our playing-cards look the way they do
Analysis of early playing card designs: origins, suit differences, standardization, technological ad...
![Hummingbirds of the Americas Hummingbirds of the Americas](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/13136-hummingbirds-of-the-americas/images/hummingbirds-0.41dcf464.jpg)
Hummingbirds of the Americas
Colour photographs of hummingbirds with data about each species to aid recognition.
![Seashells playing cards Seashells playing cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/13135-seashells-playing-cards/images/seashells-0.f98dc46a.jpg)
Seashells playing cards
Each card shows colour photo of a different seashell for easy identification.
![Discover trains of North America Discover trains of North America](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/13122-discover-trains-of-north-america/images/trains-of-na-0.3679a6da.jpg)
Discover trains of North America
55 different Illustrations of railways and locomotives from the United States.
![Tarot for Baby Tarot for Baby](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/adamwintle/13102-tarot-for-baby/images/cover.5c4a4cf3.jpg)
Tarot for Baby
This board book simplifies tarot archetypes into accessible affirmations for young children.
![Music playing cards Music playing cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/13069-music-playing-cards/images/music-0.ed8e418f.jpg)
Music playing cards
Portraits of 13 classical music composers.
![Managing cards without corner indices Managing cards without corner indices](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/13029-managing-cards-without-corner-indices/images/no-indices-0.41a2aba6.jpg)
Managing cards without corner indices
For many hundreds of years cards had no corner indices, were square cut and mostly made from card wi...
![Star Trek II • The Wrath of Khan Star Trek II • The Wrath of Khan](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/contributors/iantaylor/12876-star-trek-ii-the-wrath-of-khan-1982/cover/cover.d3a1f9b0.jpg)
Star Trek II • The Wrath of Khan
This deck is a vibrant photographic tribute to "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," one of the most be...
![Norfin® Trolls Norfin® Trolls](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12948-norfin®-trolls/images/norfin-trolls-0.88f1e4c5.jpg)
Norfin® Trolls
Troll dolls with gaudy hairstyles in a multitude of different costumes.
![Impressionist Art Cards Impressionist Art Cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12947-impressionist-art-cards/images/impressionist-art-0.f6e7045b.jpg)
Impressionist Art Cards
Details of 13 paintings by 8 different Impressionist artists on elongated cards.
![Miniature Card Dominoes Miniature Card Dominoes](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12941-miniature-dominoes-pack/images/card-dominoes-0.71a8c867.jpg)
Miniature Card Dominoes
A miniature set of Goodall domino cards (5.9 x 3.5 cms) still in perfect condition.
![Safety playing cards Safety playing cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12923-safety-playing-cards/images/safety-playing-cards-0.c65ec5b8.jpg)
Safety playing cards
Safety playing cards designed to reinforce the “Think and Be Safe” concept.
![Politicards 2016 & Politikids 2016 Politicards 2016 & Politikids 2016](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12921-politicards-2016/images/politicards-2016-0.6f339890.jpg)
Politicards 2016 & Politikids 2016
Politicards™ 2016 & Politikids 2016: twin decks of satirical playing cards produced by Peter Green f...
![K Deck K Deck](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12917-k-deck/images/k-deck-0.dd70ad3a.jpg)
K Deck
“K Deck” political playing cards, USA, c. 2004.
![Tuxedo playing cards Tuxedo playing cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12915-tuxedo-playing-cards/images/tuxedo-0.21ff7959.jpg)
Tuxedo playing cards
Stylish ‘Tuxedo’ playing cards with animal faces created by Natalia Silva, USA, 2016.
![The Deck of Hillary The Deck of Hillary](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12916-the-deck-of-hillary/images/deck-of-hillary-0.24062071.jpg)
The Deck of Hillary
‘The Deck of Hillary’ with quotes and photographs of Hillary Clinton, USA, 2003.
![Shakespeare playing cards: Insults Shakespeare playing cards: Insults](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12910-shakespeare-playing-cards-insults/images/shakespeare-insults-0.ef15ce57.jpg)
Shakespeare playing cards: Insults
Shakespeare Insults playing cards with portraits by Jan Padover, USA, 2005.
![Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12908-shakespeare-playing-cards-quotes/images/shakespeare-quotes-0.b1279e1e.jpg)
Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes
Shakespeare playing cards: Quotes, the first volume of a double set published by Prospero Art of San...
![Old Testament playing cards Old Testament playing cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12903-old-testament-playing-cards/images/old-testament-0.b0573bb0.jpg)
Old Testament playing cards
Old Testament playing cards with illustrations by Jan Padover, USA, 2012.
![Politicards 2008 Politicards 2008](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12902-politicards-’08/images/politicards-2008-0.3eef6657.jpg)
Politicards 2008
Politicards ’08 with caricatures cast as characters from classic movies, USA.
![Starz behind bars Starz behind bars](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12899-starz-behind-bars/images/starz-behind-bars-0.9cc68ba1.jpg)
Starz behind bars
Starz behind bars playing cards with mug shots of the rich and famous under arrest, USA, 2003.
![House of Cards: Deck of Bush House of Cards: Deck of Bush](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12898-house-of-cards-deck-of-bush/images/deck-of-bush-0.1b5dde1f.jpg)
House of Cards: Deck of Bush
House of Cards: Deck of Bush playing cards presenting reasons not to re-elect President Bush for a s...
![Southern Comfort Southern Comfort](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12891-southern-comfort/images/southern-comfort-0.128150e5.jpg)
Southern Comfort
Southern Comfort whiskey playing cards, USA.
![Holy Trinity Church playing cards Holy Trinity Church playing cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12889-holy-trinity-church-playing-cards/images/holy-trinity-church-0.32362585.jpg)
Holy Trinity Church playing cards
Holy Trinity Church commemoration playing cards, USA, 2011.
![Batman® playing cards Batman® playing cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12884-batman®-playing-cards/images/batman-0.b7fcf73e.jpg)
Batman® playing cards
Characters from Batman: The Animated Series on a pack issued in 1992.
![FDR New Deal Deck FDR New Deal Deck](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12882-fdr-new-deal-deck/images/fdr-new-deal-0.7ab76386.jpg)
FDR New Deal Deck
Facsimile of ‘FDR New Deal Deck’ of 1934 re-published by Bill Schroeder, USA, 2010.
![Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12883-gay-/-really-straight-republican-hypocrites/images/gay-rep-hypocrites-0.f92405fc.jpg)
Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites
Gay / Really straight Republican hypocrites, USA, 2008
![Politically Wild John McCain Politically Wild John McCain](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12878-politically-wild-john-mccain/images/politically-john-mccain-0.12977d03.jpg)
Politically Wild John McCain
“Politically Wild John McCain” published by Newt’s Playing Cards, USA, 2008.
![Mohegan Sun playing cards Mohegan Sun playing cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12872-mohegan-sun-playing-cards/images/mohegan-sun-0.9157c1e4.jpg)
Mohegan Sun playing cards
Mohegan Sun playing cards published by Gemaco for Mohegan Sun casino.
![Ripley’s Believe It or Not! playing cards Ripley’s Believe It or Not! playing cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12871-ripley’s-believe-it-or-not!-playing-cards/images/believe-it-0.ce097c63.jpg)
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! playing cards
Strange facts from Robert Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not’ books, in the form of cartoons.
![Undressed deck Undressed deck](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12870-undressed-deck/images/undressed-deck-0.3062003a.jpg)
Undressed deck
Undressed deck created by Edi Rudo and Néro Catineau, USA, 2020.
![Fate fortune telling cards Fate fortune telling cards](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12868-fate-fortune-telling-cards/images/fate-0.50ce3b89.jpg)
Fate fortune telling cards
Fate fortune telling cards published by Merrimack Publishing Corporation, USA.
![Politicards 2004 Politicards 2004](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12866-politicards-2004/images/politicards-2004-0.bbf474d1.jpg)
Politicards 2004
Politicards 2004 with satirical cartoons by the award-winning illustrator Peter Green, USA.
![Politicards 1971 Politicards 1971](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12864-politicards-1971/images/politicards-1971-0.9f6f7c6e.jpg)
Politicards 1971
Politicards 1971 for the presidential election in which Richard Nixon won a landslide victory.
![Politicards 1996 Politicards 1996](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12861-politicards-96/images/politicards-96-0.36b50f1b.jpg)
Politicards 1996
Politicards ’96 with satirical caricatures on every card by Peter Green, USA.
![Politicards 1984 Politicards 1984](http://www.wopc.co.uk/core/cache/wopc/thumbs/simonwintle/12858-politicards-1984/images/politicards-1984-0.24febc93.jpg)
Politicards 1984
Politicards 1984 with caricatures by Donald Gates, published by the Kamber Group, USA.