American Civil War playing cards
American Civil War playing cards with suits of stars, US flags, US shields and eagles.
Designed to promote patriotism during the American Civil War, these “Union Playing Cards” have the traditional suit signs replaced by eagles and shields (blue) and stars and American flags (red). The kings, queens and knaves are the same in each suit and are represented by a general, Lady Columbia or the Goddess of Liberty and a union military officer. The ace of eagles doubles as a title card and has an elaborate design and the legend “American Card Company” in a banner across the top. The cards are a fascinating artifact of the Civil War era, reflecting the strong patriotic sentiment that prevailed in the North.
Above: American Civil War playing cards produced in New York by Benjamin W. Hitchcock’s “American Card Company”, 14 Chambers St. & 165 William St., 1862. 52 playing cards in a telescopic box, no indices, lithographed in blue with red stencilling, 90 x 63mm. Pictorial back design depicting flags and Union crest surmounted by a star, lithographed in blue. Source gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France • Union Playing Cards►
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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