Subject: Card games

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.

Card game counter patented by Saladee in March 1864. Manufactured by Samuel Hart & Co. of Philadelphia and New York. The obverse shows a card back. This artifact is a first edition from the Civil War era. The collection also contains an 1885 counter from Samuel Hart and Consolidated Card. Bezique, a card game developed in France from Piquet, is described, noting its evolution into Pinochle and its continued play in the USA. The description details the history of Lawrence and Cohen, a card manufactory, their transition into a stock company in 1871 with Samuel Hart and Isaac and John J. Levy, forming the New York Consolidated Card Company.

Deck of 52 playing cards manufactured by the New York Consolidated Card Company, including a rare 'Best Bower' card, a precursor to the joker. The cards are from a Mogul's deck featuring double heads. The cards show light aging but are in good condition; the original paper wrapper is included but shows signs of damage. The cards date between 1871 (founding of Consolidated Card Co.) and 1874 (John Levy's last ace issued).

A deck of playing cards and cribbage box manufactured by Lawrence & Cohen, successors to Lawrence, Cohen & Co., circa 1860s. The cards were produced at their William Street address (approximately 1860-1873) during a period when both single and double-ended court cards were manufactured. The company merged with The New York Consolidated Card Company in 1871. This specific deck is missing the eight of hearts and bears the inscription 'John B. Emerson of Boothbay, Maine,' who was a ship master during this period. The item's provenance suggests it was used in New York City, specifically in the vicinity of William Street, during the 1860s. The geographical coordinates suggest a potential location in the vicinity of New York City and Boothbay, Maine.

A full deck of playing cards, circa 1885, housed in a leather snap case. The ace of spades bears the markings "CONSOLIDATED CARD COMPANY...SAMUEL HART & CO....NEW YORK." The cards are associated with Samuel Hart & Co., which merged in 1871 to form the Consolidated Card Company. Samuel Hart was a nephew of Lawrence Cohen, an inventor credited with developing the four-color printing process in the early 1800s, a significant advancement in the playing card industry.

A full deck of 52 playing cards manufactured by L.I. Cohen in New York City circa 1845. The cards feature an eagle over a shield with "L.I. Cohen" on the shield, and "MANUFACTURER 190 WM ST. NY" printed at the bottom. Lewis I. Cohen, a stationer, invented a printing press in 1835 that allowed four colors to be transferred to a sheet of cards in one impression, revolutionizing the card industry. The cards do not have numbers on them. This deck of cards is an example of Cohen's innovative printing techniques and his contribution to the playing card manufacturing industry in 19th century America.

A nearly complete deck of playing cards (32 cards plus one blank card) manufactured by Lawrence and Cohen at 184 Williams Street, New York, circa 1860. This is a rare Keno deck, with each suit starting with an Ace and proceeding to Seven through King, without numbered cards. The cards represent a brief period after the death of Lewis I. Cohen in 1860, when the company was managed by his son Solomon L. Cohen and nephew John M. Lawrence, before the name changed to Lawrence & Cohen in 1864. The Ace of Spades displays the company name and address. Lewis I. Cohen, born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1800, was a pioneer in American pencil and steel pen manufacturing, and introduced mechanized color printing to playing card production in 1835. He published his first deck in 1832. In 1854, he retired, leaving the business to Solomon and John, who continued the "Stars and Eagle" brand. On December 5th, 1871, Lawrence and Cohen, along with Samuel Hart and Isaac Levy of "Samuel Hart & Co." (Philadelphia) and John J. Levy, formed the New York Consolidated Card Company.

A complete deck of 52 playing cards, manufactured circa 1855 by the Union Card Manufactory, located at 177 & 179 Grand Street, New York. The cards are attributed to John J. Levy, who was briefly a partner of Huestis. This deck is referenced as "Deck Ny21" in Hochman's *Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards*. The Union Card Manufactory's history includes a partnership between Solomon L. Cohen and John M. Lawrence (Lawrence and Cohen) following Lewis I. Cohen's retirement in 1854. In 1871, Lawrence and Cohen, along with Samuel Hart and Isaac Levy of Samuel Hart & Co. (Philadelphia), and John J. Levy, formed the New York Consolidated Card Company.

A full deck of playing cards contained within a leather case, accompanied by counters. The Ace of Spades bears the markings "CONSOLIDATED CARD COMPANY...SAMUEL HART & CO....NEW YORK." The New York Consolidated Card Company was formed in 1871 through the merger of three firms: Lawrence & Cohen (est. 1832), Samuel Hart & Co. (est. circa 1849), and John J. Levy. This deck of cards is circa 1885.

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.

This trade card advertises Hart's Squared Linen Eagle Nonpareil Pharo Cards. The card features a large eagle in the center. This may be a connection to the Mikveh Israel community? [Mikveh Israel is a Jewish community in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.] The card is a label that likely was attached to a package of cards. Other items from Hart, a card maker, are also featured on the card.