Andrew Dougherty 1865

Andrew Dougherty made this edition of "Illuminated Great Moguls" in 1865, and they are often compared to the gold embossed playing cards made by Lewis I. Cohen. If nothing says it like gold, it should also be pointed out that the English card maker, Thomas de la Rue, also indulged himself as much.

Andrew Dougherty began making playing cards in 1842, in Brooklyn, New York, in what could only be described as primitive conditions, but his persistence paid off in becoming one of the big players in the 19th century American card making industry.

His earliest cards came out with wrappers decorated with the familiar Eagle, and branded "American Cards". During the Civil War, in rebuke to his London rivals, Goodall of London, who draped a Confederate flag on their cards, Dougherty brought out his with the Union's stars and stripes decorating the backs. He also made a pack of Civil War cards, which he called "Army and Navy Cards" (1865).

In 1896 Andrew Dougherty retired from business and handed over control of the card manufactory to his three sons.

Further Reading

Regional Patterns of 18th Century France
The English Pattern
Gallery of Early Standard Playing Cards
WhiteKnuckle Standard Playing Cards

L I N K S

International Playing Card Society Decline of the English Court Card.
PlainBacks.com: Extensive gallery of early standard playing cards. Famous American and English makers. Plain Backs is a celebration of the English Court Card as a cultural design icon.
History of Playing Cards - Playing Cards.us: Brief History of Playing Cards
Sea Of Pain Fine Art Productions - Brett A. Jones works from his studio in Queensland, Australia. Only recently he has completed a rendition of the English Pattern.