Huestis & Levy Playing Cards: A Partial Deck (circa 1855)

Partial deck of playing cards produced by Huestis & Levy, containing 41 cards, including a joker and an eagle, but lacking indexes. The firm's brief existence (approximately 1853-1855) makes this incomplete set a rare find. Accompanying the cards is a printed advertisement from an unbound volume of "The Illustrated American Biography" (J. Milton Emerson and Co., New York, 1854-1855), measuring approximately 8"x10.5", depicting the Huestis & Levy factory/storefront at 177 & 179 Grand Street, New York. This advertisement provides context to the playing card set and the short-lived partnership of John J. Levy and Huestis. John J. Levy was the nephew of Lewis I. Cohen, a founder of one of the early American card-making families. After leaving his uncle's employ, Levy partnered with Huestis. In 1854, Lewis I. Cohen retired, and his son and nephew formed Lawrence and Cohen. On December 5th, 1871, Lawrence and Cohen, along with Samuel Hart and Isaac Levy, formed the New York Consolidated Card Company.

Associated People/Businesses

• LEVY, JOHN J.

Geography

No geographic information available.

Subjects

• Playing cards

Physical Location

On 2021 Objects List