Marlboro Texan No.45

These Marlboro Texan No. 45's were produced Russel, Morgan & Co, who would later become the United States Playing Card Co., in the mid 1880s. At that time double-ends were yet to assert their dominance in circulation as the standard pattern playing card. This early example shows all the elements of the modern playing card, double ends and corner side indices. Still, you can't help thinking that maybe we could work a little harder on balance and proportion. As time went on, the United States Printing Co. would improve their faces and work toward bringing all the elements of the modern playing card into overall composition as can be seen from later standards.

Marlboro Texan No. 45's are manufactured by the United States Playing Card Co. and sold as authentic reproductions.

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.