Description

Here is one of the rarest common items of the period one can find for display. We have handled only a couple of dozen in the past twenty years as they have become simply impossible to find for sale at any reasonable price since western gambling paraphernalia has become much more highly collectible. Many have been broken up and single cards are commonly sold now for 20$ each, a good hand 100$. Even wrappers on the loose are going for 25$. Great Mogul playing cards were one of the most common playing decks of the time. Not sure how or why, but Belgium cornered the market for a very long time in the playing card making industry, not unlike Sheffield cutlery, Solingen steel, English sewing needles, French perfumes, &tc., &tc. A few domestic makers were around but imports dominated the market. Yes wartime sets with generals and symbols were marketed – but this is the much sought after common deck – no frills for the fellow who simply wished to play without spending his ante on the deck. While found in parlors as well as the high end sets – this the definitive type which ended up on the gum blanket or in winter quarters. (when allowed to be sold by sutler’s, or smuggled in from other sources) Edition made specifically for the US market this is a full unused wrapped deck. (wrapper has federal eagle on the reverse with “Celebrated Eagle Brand” indicating so) The cards are square cut cardstock in absolutely mint condition. The wrapper is in clean excellent condition with only a single corner separated as seen in photo. These were commonly sold to merchants in wrapped six deck bricks and so most were not individually tied as was the more common practice decades before the war. (we have handled several of these bricks as well over the years, like the decks most of them were placed in museums or advanced collections) Regardless of market, this item is now so seldomly found available and so sought after they do not fluctuate much in value – sampling going up virtually continuously. I really don’t expect to find any more at this price and had trouble finding current actual sale values for a complete single deck at all. Please do not hesitate if you are after one.