Subject: Games

Deck of 52 playing cards manufactured by Jno. J. Levy in New York, circa 1860s. The Ace of Spades features the address 177 & 179 Grand Street, New York. The card backs are printed in four colors and depict tulips. The deck is described as being in nice condition and handsomely preserved. This deck is part of the Hochman collection (NY16). In 1854, Lewis I. Cohen retired, leaving the card manufactory to his son, Solomon L. Cohen, and nephew, John M. Lawrence, who formed "Lawrence and Cohen." 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.

Deck of playing cards published by Samuel Hart & Co. in Philadelphia in 1846. Each card features a tongue-twister and a lithograph illustration featuring the character Punch. The cards are printed by T. Sinclair's Lith, Philadelphia, and represent an early example of American playing cards and color lithography. The deck includes an extra card depicting Professor Punch and two children. The game was entered according to Act of Congress in 1846 by Sam'l Hart & Co. in the Clerk's office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The cards are printed on one side, the other side plain white. The corners are slightly rounded. The paper is coated heavy stock and measures 2 3/8 by 3 7/16 inches (8.7 cm).

Catalogue – “Henry Cohen's Wholesale Catalogue of Staples and Fancy Stationery”…Philadelphia, 1859. This is an outstanding early catalog with many illustrations and prices.It is valued as a catalog and its Jewish connection. The Cohen’s were an early Jewish family; his Grandfather first came to Philadelphia in 1760s. Henry was born in England and came to Philadelphia in 1837, died 1879. He was a leading merchant and President of Mikvah Israel. Henry Cohen immigrated from England to Philadelphia in 1837 and quickly established a highly successful business career. Shortly after his arrival, he founded a high-end wholesale stationery enterprise that specialized in envelope manufacturing and foreign imports. During the 1850s and 1860s, the commercial headquarters for this flourishing operation were located at 42 Market Street. Under Philadelphia's older grid numbering system, this specific location later shifted to what is known today as the 500 block of Market Street. When the American Civil War broke out in the 1860s, Cohen's business experienced significant growth. He chose to use his newly acquired wealth to fiercely back the Union cause. As part of these patriotic efforts, he became an early member of Philadelphia's historic Union League. Through this organization, he provided massive financial subscriptions to help fund and equip the Union military.Beyond his commercial success, Henry Cohen and his wife, Matilda, were pillar figures in the early American Jewish community. According to 19th-century historical records—including Henry Samuel Morais' landmark 1894 volume The Jews of Philadelphia—the family maintained a deep commitment to Jewish communal life. They were lifelong, deeply involved members of Kahal Kadosh Mikveh Israel, one of the oldest and most historic synagogues in the United States, where Henry routinely contributed leadership, resources, and financial support. The Cohens also maintained an elite social and philanthropic partnership with Rebecca Gratz, the famous Jewish-American educator who founded the first Hebrew Sunday School in America. Matilda Cohen was an intimate friend of Gratz and served as her primary co-worker across multiple local Jewish charity organizations. This philanthropic drive extended into the Civil War when Philadelphia hosted the Great Central Fair for the Sanitary Commission. Henry funded and Matilda led the Women's Branch of the Sanitary Fair Committee, where she spearheaded efforts for Pennsylvania’s Jewish women to organize mass sewing circles that crafted essential clothes and blankets for Union soldiers. In addition to wartime relief, historical records show that Henry Cohen acted as a primary benefactor and financial adviser to the early Philadelphia Jewish Foster Home and Orphan Asylum. His leadership helped establish a vital social safety net for arriving Jewish immigrants and orphaned children. Toward the end of his life, Cohen continued his civic dedication by acting as a chief promoter for the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. His wife served as a highly decorated organizer for the event, ensuring that the civic, cultural, and charitable contributions of the Jewish community were prominently represented on a global stage Henry B. Ashmead Book and Job Printer, 1859. 1st ed. 150, [1 (errata)] pp., illus. In orig. cloth with gilt title on the front board. Spine sunned and the boards show light to moderate soiling and rubbing. A solid copy. Profusely illustrated, this is a remarkable catalogue with all the material you'd expect in a stationers catalogue as well as a few unexpected sections. For instance, there are a dozen pages dedicated to "games and amusements" with several pages of engraved illustrations of chess piece.

Commercial letter from Mark Levy & Brothers, importers of stationery, wafers, games, and playing cards in New York City, to Merriam Chapin & Co. in Springfield, Massachusetts. Dated July 29, 1852. The letter mentions specific types of paper.

This 64-page pamphlet, published by N. Levy in Auburn, New York in 1888, is a collection of puzzles, conundrums, tricks, and fortune-telling games. It includes illustrations and some references to the American Civil War. The pamphlet also contains advertisements, including those for Levy's clothing store.

Nineteenth-century children's card game, "The Laughable Game of What D'Ye Buy," by Professor Punch. Published by Samuel Hart & Co., successors to L.I. Cohen & Co., 27 South Fourth Street, near Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. The game includes an instruction booklet (pages 1-6) and 38 small cards, along with 11 profession cards (one doctor card missing from a presumed set of 12). The game box measures 2 3/4" wide by 4 1/8" high; the case flap is detached. While no copyright date is present, based on biographical information about Samuel Hart, the game is estimated to be circa 1845. Samuel Hart established his Philadelphia store in 1844, and ceased using "Successors to L.I. Cohen & Co." by 1846. The game's components are original to the period. The game was later merged in 1871 to form the Consolidated Card Company.

This is a die-cut, fan-shaped trade card advertising Loeb & Etchebarne, a business offering fancy and staple dry goods in San Jose, California. The card features a charming illustration in blue and brown tones depicting two children playing with marbles on a brick wall, adorned with flowers and foliage. Some areas of the card have a silver metallic sheen. The business address, 313 Santa Clara Street, is also prominently displayed. The design and format are typical of late 19th-century advertising ephemera. **3.

A colorful trade card advertising Shipper & Schwartz, The Tailors. The front features a chromolithographic illustration of two children playing cards at a small table. The company name, 'SHIPPER & SCHWARTZ, THE TAILORS,' is printed at the top, and their address, '733 MARKET ST., OPP. DUPONT,' is at the bottom. The card serves as an advertisement for their tailoring business in San Francisco, utilizing a decorative image common in late 19th-century advertising. 3.

This trade card advertises Charles Mayer & Co. of Indianapolis, Indiana. The front of the card features a couple sitting at a table surrounded by a variety of items including fancy goods, jewelry, musical instruments, and games. It's likely they are a general store. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises J. M. Brunswick & Balke Co., manufacturers of billiard and pool tables and dealers in sporting goods, ten-pin balls and pins. The card features a young boy playing croquet on the front. The back has a full advertisement. The card is approximately 3 x 4 inches.

This trade card advertises Schneider & Co., an amusement emporium located at 1106 Eleventh Avenue in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The front of the card features a lithograph of a young woman standing on a rock. She is dressed in a long gown and is looking directly at the viewer. Her hair is long and flowing, and she is holding a book. The background of the card is a landscape with a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers. The card is printed in shades of brown, blue, and green. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises Schneider & Co., a bookstore and stationery store located at 1106 Eleventh Avenue in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The front of the card depicts a young girl wearing a winter coat, a fur-trimmed hat, and gloves. She is posed standing outdoors, perhaps in front of a shop window. The background appears to be a bustling city street. The image is well-executed, using fine lithographic techniques. The reverse of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises Schwartz's Toy Bazaar, a toy store located at 300 Fulton Street, opposite Johnson, New York City. The front of the card features an image of an eagle. The back of the card features a full advertisement with the business name and a list of the products they sell: 'BABY CARRIAGES, VELOCIPEDE, TOYS AND GAMES'.

Trade card depicting a girl feeding a parrot. The card also mentions "Eight Avenue & 24th Street" and "Opening Exhibition of Toys & Holiday Games." The card is part of a larger collection of trade cards and is housed in the Archives, Manuscript Collection 56, Volume 19, Page 25. The image is approximately from 1885. Geographic location: New York City, New York.

Trade card depicting a young girl playing croquet on grass. The addresses 546 Broadway and 148 South Pearl Street are prominently featured. A full advertisement is present on the reverse side. The card is circa 1885. Found in Ms. Coll. 1410, OOS, Box 2, Folder 69.