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  RARE 1885 PATRIOTIC CARD ADVERTISING THE UNITED STATES PLAYING CARD COMPANY, WITH 18 STARS IN A STARBURST PATTERN

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Approx. 5.5" x 8"
Flag Size (H x L): 3" x 5.5"
Description....:
RARE 1885 PATRIOTIC CARD ADVERTISING THE UNITED STATES PLAYING CARD COMPANY, WITH 18 STARS IN A STARBURST PATTERN:

Rare, printed paper advertising card in flag form, with great folk qualities. These include 18 stars in a starburst or snowflake design, with a large center star that has the letters "U.S." printed in its center in red ink. Whimsical, shadowed lettering spells out:

"Buy the United States Playing Cards"

accompanied by the name of the printer, Russell & Morgan, of Cincinnati, Ohio. On the reverse is the October 1st, 1885 price list of the supplier/broker, Steele & Avery, of Rochester, NY. Note the rather extravagant cost of, even when considering that prices are for 144 decks.

One other card is known in this style, pictured in Kit Hinrich's book, "Long May She Wave" (2002, ten Speed press, p. 73). Such items were typically discarded and seldom have survived. The tremendous visual qualities of examples like this one have led to a sub-category of collecting paper advertising flags and paper flags made for political and commemorative purposes, such as the mourning of Lincoln's death.

The 18th state was Louisiana, which joined the Union under the Louisiana Purchase in 1812, but the 18 stars of this flag likely serve no other purpose than its decorative design.

Mounting: This is a pressure-mount on washed, black cotton velvet. The front is u.v. protective acrylic. The gilded molding is circa 1830-1870. Condition: There are no significant condition issues.
Collector Level: Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything
Flag Type:
Star Count: 18
Earliest Date of Origin: 1885
Latest Date of Origin: 1885
State/Affiliation: Louisiana
War Association: 1866-1889 Indian Wars
Price: SOLD
 

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