Bicycle Seconds
Bicycle 808 Seconds playing cards manufactured by The United States Playing Card Co, Cincinnati and New York, USA, with offices also in Windsor, Canada and London, England.
Bicycle Seconds, c.1928
The United States Playing Card Company
Imported into Argentina by Palmer & Cia, c.1928
Left: box (front & back) from deck of 'Bicycle 808 Seconds' playing cards manufactured by The United States Playing Card Co, Cincinnati and New York, USA, with offices also in Windsor, Canada and London, England.
The deck was exported to Argentina and a 50 Centavos green tax band can be seen affixed around the box. The tax band relates to Law No. 11.252 which was in force between 1924-1943.
Above: the last type of standard Bicycle Ace of Spades, which is still in use today, albeit with minor modifications. The ace of hearts shows the brown importation tax stamp and the name of the importing agents Palmer & Cia who were successors to Donnell & Palmer, c.1928.
Above: U.S.P.C.C. ‘Bicycle Seconds’ box, c.1895, which contains a Russell & Morgan Printing Co Bicycle deck. Image courtesy Jesse Hobbs.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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