Bicycle No.808 - page 2
The famous 'Bicycle' playing cards were first introduced by Russell & Morgan Printing Co in 1885. They were hugely successful and became the most well-known brand in the world.
Bicycle No.808
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The famous 'Bicycle' playing cards were first introduced by Russell & Morgan Printing Co in 1885. They were hugely successful and became the most well-known brand in the world.
Above: deck of 'Bicycle No.808' playing cards with the Racer back design, c.1928, and with the last type of standard Bicycle Ace of Spades, which is still in use today, albeit with minor modifications. The ace of hearts in this example has the Argentinean importation tax stamp and the name of the importing agents Palmer & Cia overprinted. see more►
Above: detail from uncut sheet of 'Bicycle No.808' playing cards (printed in 1999), showing the familiar Ace of Spades and Joker which are still in use today and famous around the world.
The Bicycle Playing Cards official website contains a lot of interesting information, including company history and a downloadable catalogue. See also: Bicycle Seconds • Congress No.606 • Jumbo Bridge No.88 • U.S.A.
Further References:
Bicycle Playing Cards for Collectors►
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.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.
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