^Lot 679 The United States Playing Card Company,

Cincinnati, OH. 1917. Specimen. Odd shs, common stock, brown. Allegorical woman seated in front of globe. The privately held company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio since its founding in 1867, manufactures, markets and distributes playing cards. Early in 1880, Mr. Russell proposed to his partners that they embark upon the manufacture of playing cards, an industry monopolized by several East Coast companies. The first deck of playing cards was completed on June 28, 1881. About 20 employees manufactured 1600 packs per day. In 1891, Russell, Morgan and Company became The United States Printing Company. Only three years later (1894), the playing card business had grown to such proportions that it was separated from the Printing Company, becoming The United States Playing Card Company. ABNC. XF.