The Traveler’s Companion
The “Traveler’s Companion”, Union Playing Card Co., New York, c.1886.
The “Traveler’s Companion”, Union Playing Card Co., New York, c.1886
This set was one of Union P. C. Co’s specialties and contained 2 rolls of small poker chips to play on trains, etc. The ace of spades has the initials U.P.C.Co in the centre. The courts are similar to those used by Russell & Morgan. The Joker is unusual in that it is not denominated as such nor does it carry any marking to indicate that it is a joker and finally, it does not carry any indication of the brand name of the deck or that of the manufacturer.
Above: The “Traveler’s Companion”, Union Playing Card Co., New York, c.1886. Images courtesy Rod Starling.
REFERENCES & CREDITS
Dawson, Tom & Judy: The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards, U.S. Games Systems Inc., 2000
Lodge, Ken: The Standard English Pattern (second revised and enlarged edition), Bungay, Suffolk, 2010
We are grateful to Rod Starling for generously sharing knowledge and images of cards and from his collection.
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.
Related Articles
The UCR Deck
Giant-size cards designed by Thomas Sanders to advertise courses and facilities at UCR.
Fredericks & Mae playing cards
A rainbow pack from the design team of Fredericks & Mae and Benjamin English.
Red Hat Society playing cards
Society that encourages women in their quest to get the most out of life.
Mountain Dream Tarot
Groundbreaking Tarot created by Bea Nettles, using photographs and photo montage.
Junior Playing Cards
Child-friendly versions of standard English pattern cards designed by Louie Mantia, Jr.
Last Call Cats playing cards
Bar-crawling cats, designed by artists Arna Miller and Ravi Zupa.
Covered bridges playing cards
Historical covered bridges with photography by Bill Miller, 2006.
Motherpeace Round Tarot
An original and imaginative feminist tarot based on Goddess energy.
Victorian playing cards
54 different card designs including people, animals, flowers, costumes and ornaments popular during ...
Crown Hill playing cards
Crown Hill playing cards with illustrations by Corrine Guiney, USA,
O-Shlemiel card game
O-Shlemiel card game with Yiddish words and phrases.
Hesslers Four-Colour “No Revoke” Deck
Hesslers Maiden Back Four-Colour “No Revoke” Deck, with enhanced visibility and a traditional look. ...
The Heart Deck™
Useful information about heart health on every card.
Star Trek® – The Original Series
Promotional pack for CIC Video with characters and starships from the original series of Star Trek. ...
Colonial Art
A collection of 53 pieces of art showcasing detailed scenes from early American colonial life.
Animal Kingdom
Crafted by Hatch Design and benefitting the World Wildlife Fund, animal heads replace the traditiona...
Trending Articles
Popular articles from the past 28 days
