The World of Playing Cards Logo

Movie Souvenir Playing Cards

Published February 12, 2013 Updated July 26, 2022

Special souvenir playing cards for entertainment events such as theatre or sport were an early form of merchandising. After the first edition of this deck in 1916, subsequent issues featured new photos as new stars rose to fame.

1916 USA The Movie Souvenir Card Co. Movies & Film Souvenir
back from 'Movie Souvenir' playing cards published by the Movie Souvenir Card Co., Cincinnati, USA, 1916 box from 'Movie Souvenir' playing cards published by the Movie Souvenir Card Co., Cincinnati, USA, 1916

The “Movie Souvenir” playing cards published by M.J. Moriarty in 1916 is a tribute to the “53 most prominent” movie stars from the era. Mr Moriarty was the purchasing agent for U.S.P.C.C. who printed the cards for him to sell.

Right: the back depicts a chariot race at Roman games, after a painting by Alexander von Wagner, published c.1890 →

Special souvenir playing cards for entertainment events such as theatre or sport were an early form of merchandising. After the first edition of this deck in 1916, subsequent issues featured new photos as new stars rose to fame. For example, at least four different photos of Ruth Roland can be found in different editions, and several different film stars are represented in different decks.

'Movie Souvenir' playing cards published by the Movie Souvenir Card Co., Cincinnati, USA, 1916 Movie Souvenir playing cards published by the Movie Souvenir Card Co., Cincinnati, USA, 1916

Above: 'Movie Souvenir' playing cards published by M. J. Moriarty, The Movie Souvenir Card Co., Cincinnati, USA, 1916. The Seven of Diamonds features Sessue Haykawa (1890-1973), an extremely popular star from Japan who made many movies, both silent and sound. In 1957 he starred along with Alec Guinness in "The Bridge at the River Kwai" in which he brilliantly played the commandant of a Japanese military prison camp. He was nominated for an Oscar as best supporting actor in that role.

The Joker pictures Charlie Chaplin, now a man in his thirties and well established as a famous comic character known as The Little Tramp. He went on to directing and producing his own films and, in 1919, was one of the founders of United Artists.


REFERENCES

Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000

Starling, Rod: Tales from the Stage, in 'Clear the Decks', the Newsletter for 52 Plus Joker (edited by Judy Dawson).

Images from the collection of Rod Starling, author of "The Art and Pleasures of Playing Cards".

See also: The Stage No.65, 1896The Stage No.65, 1908Craddock Soap Stage Souvenir, 1895

avatar
94 Articles

By Rod Starling (1936-2023)

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.


Leave a Reply

Default Avatar
Your Name
Just now

Create account to comment Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here.


Related Articles

1975 Mountain Dream Tarot

Mountain Dream Tarot

Groundbreaking Tarot created by Bea Nettles, using photographs and photo montage.

2024 English Heritage

English Heritage

52 different colour photos of historic sites managed by English Heritage.

2021 Junior Playing Cards

Junior Playing Cards

Child-friendly versions of standard English pattern cards designed by Louie Mantia, Jr.

2021 Last Call Cats playing cards

Last Call Cats playing cards

Bar-crawling cats, designed by artists Arna Miller and Ravi Zupa.

2006 Covered bridges playing cards

Covered bridges playing cards

Historical covered bridges with photography by Bill Miller, 2006.

1981 Motherpeace Round Tarot

Motherpeace Round Tarot

An original and imaginative feminist tarot based on Goddess energy.

1986 Victorian playing cards

Victorian playing cards

54 different card designs including people, animals, flowers, costumes and ornaments popular during ...

1980 Crown Hill playing cards

Crown Hill playing cards

Crown Hill playing cards with illustrations by Corrine Guiney, USA,

1974 O-Shlemiel card game

O-Shlemiel card game

O-Shlemiel card game with Yiddish words and phrases.

Hispania Romana

Hispania Romana

Educational card game depicting the Roman period in Spanish history.

2024 Hesslers Four-Colour “No Revoke” Deck

Hesslers Four-Colour “No Revoke” Deck

Hesslers Maiden Back Four-Colour “No Revoke” Deck, with enhanced visibility and a traditional look. ...

2011 The Heart Deck™

The Heart Deck™

Useful information about heart health on every card.

1996 Star Trek® – The Original Series

Star Trek® – The Original Series

Promotional pack for CIC Video with characters and starships from the original series of Star Trek. ...

2013 Go Go Gorillas!

Go Go Gorillas!

Go Go Gorillas! charity playing cards sponsored by the Eastern Daily Press and the Norwich Evening N...

1973 Colonial Art

Colonial Art

A collection of 53 pieces of art showcasing detailed scenes from early American colonial life.

2024 Piatnik’s 200<sup>th</sup> Anniversary

Piatnik’s 200th Anniversary

A special philatelic souvenir for Piatnik’s 200th anniversary, combining playing cards an...