Miniature Deck of Cards: 'Brought from Calcutta by B. Tuttle of the ship John Clark 1869-7'

Rare miniature deck of cards, possibly used by sailors, with no numbers on the cards. Handwritten on one spade is "brought from Calcutta by B. Tuttle of the ship John Clark 1869-7". The cards were manufactured by A & E Cohen of London, and are tied with a ribbon with printed suits. This deck is significant due to its connection to the Cohen family, prominent figures in the American and British stationery and playing card industries. The London branch of A & E Cohen played a role in the founding of Henry Cohen Stationary of Philadelphia in the late 1830s. Lewis I. Cohen, born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1800, received training in London and became the first American to produce lead pencils and sell steel pens. He mechanized color printing for playing cards in 1835. His son, Solomon L. Cohen, and nephew, John M. Lawrence, continued the business as Lawrence and Cohen, later forming the New York Consolidated Card Company in 1871 with Samuel Hart & Co. and other partners. The deck was likely produced before 1871, given the connection to A & E Cohen London and the handwriting indicating its use in 1869-70.

Associated People/Businesses

• COHEN, A & E

Geography

No geographic information available.

Subjects

• Playing cards
• Printing
• Navigation--History
• Cohen family

Physical Location

Arc.MS.56, Objects Box 2