American Drummer
American Drummer Playing Cards celebrating famous Americans involved in the fight for American independence.
Issued in the run-up to the American Bicentennial, this pack, conceived and designed by Roy Lipstreu, commemorates some of the people who fought for, and won, independence for America. The Kings are George Washington (S), Thomas Jefferson (H), Benjamin Franklin (D), and Patrick Henry (C). The Queens are Martha Washington (S), Betsy Ross (H), Dolly Madison (D), and Abigail Adams (C). The Jacks represent the professional soldiers and sailors (S), the Militia (H), the Minutemen (D), and Mountain Men and Woodsmen (C). The American Drummer motif appears on the Ace of Spades, the two Jokers, the back (red or blue) and the box. Cleverly, the artist has created court card designs which are not too far removed from standard court cards, thus probably aiming to broaden the appeal to traditional card players. See the leaflet►
Above: American Drummer playing cards published by American Drummer Playing Cards, Lakewood, OH, USA, 1975. Maker unknown. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + title card + leaflet in tuck box. Size: 59.5 x 89.5 mm. © Amer. Drum. 1975.
See the box►
By Roddy Somerville
Member since May 31, 2022
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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