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.
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