Subject: Bezique

Boxed set of four rare 1863 Civil War-era Bezique playing card decks manufactured by Lawrence, Cohen & Co. in New York City. Includes two heavy cardboard Bezique counters with metal hands. Most cards are in very good condition, but four have minor damage (dog-eared Aces of Diamonds and Jack of Spades; a tear on the Seven of Clubs; stains and pencil marks on the Ace of Hearts). The deck consists of 126 cards, ranging from seven through ace, with four of each card (a standard Bezique deck). The included box is partially intact. The cards were manufactured by Lawrence, Cohen & Co., a firm that took over the existing card firm of Lewis I. Cohen. This deck is a Bezique deck, a variation of Pinocle.

A boxed set of four decks of 32 playing cards for the game of Bezique, manufactured by Samuel Hart & Co. around 1865. The set includes a contemporary case, rules booklet, and a paper label on the inside lid featuring two U.S. revenue stamps dated 1865. Two Saladee's Bezique Register cards with metal spinners for scorekeeping are also included. The box measures 6" x 4" x 1 1/2". The company operated out of New York (546 Broadway) and Philadelphia (416 S. 13th St.). The production of this set followed the formation of the New York Consolidated Card Company in December 1871, which involved Samuel Hart & Co. along with Lawrence and Cohen and others. Lawrence and Cohen were the successors to Lewis I. Cohen's card manufactory, established earlier.