American Bank Note Company Levitating Cat Head 811 Whist Playing Cards Deck

The randomness of my wants and desires as pertains to most things usually comes by chance just as my enamoring via playing cards came into existence.

This American Bank Note Company levitating cat head Alice in Wonderland-esque 811 Whist Playing Card Deck fits perfectly into such an example. I was simply searching out antique cards and this beautiful pack came up in a sold listing. It seems every penny worth the nearly $95 paid for it though I don't think I could ever spend that much on a deck of cards.

The packaging is as delightful as the art itself though outside the Ace of Spades, as is usual with most packs, the cards are the expectant standard fare deck.

No Jokers included is also somewhat of a deal-breaker in my opinion but given the chance to purpose such a deck at half the price I'd likely jump at it since they seem rather scarce and the subject matter is grandiose regardless of what the motif is supposed to be. It would be all the better if it weren't Alice in Wonderland related, though I'm fairly positive that it has something to do with that franchise.

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A Card Within a Card: 3 Jokers and Theirs

As ruminated upon in a previous post here are three more Jokers who are depicted wielding other cards within their own. The first one is openly presenting the Ace of Spades while concealing three others with a mere Diamond peeking out over one corner of the trumvirate. On the second Joker, from a Scandinavian deck, The King of Diamonds is figured prominently as the Joker leans upon it. His poppet Joker is also holding an Ace of Hearts. What it all means would depend on the manufacturer and artist, I suppose. The last specimen from Longfield Games features an Ace of Spades as the Joker stands upon a depiction of the world as a globe which seems almost 3/4 there but not quite whole. All interpretations of this and the preceding ones would be mere speculation and without knowing the artist and his source inspiration it would mainly be a stab into the void. Which is basically what this entire blog consists of.

Tart Rhymes

I came across this excellent booklet from The U. S. Playing Card Co. on Instagram and then tracked down its source to eBay where I took advantage of the generous photos on the listing and saved them in e-book form because it's the right thing to do for posterity's sake. The booklets contains a very short sequence of rhymes that make for one bizarre folktale that wouldn't cut it in today's cancel culture. Also displayed in the small booklet are some card packs produced by the company which is very helpful towards dating the cards for novices who don't have access to the company's historical records.

Finding the Four of Clubs

Before going on my walk today while crossing the threshold of the front door to my enclosed porch I suddenly thought, "I'm going to find a playing card today." Something which I hadn't done since last year when I found a slew of them which led to my interest in cartomancy and eventually the amassing of dozens of decks. Anyway, I found it interesting. As far as symbolism and cartomancy go: "The Four of Clubs is called by sailors the Devil's Bedposts." "...in the old game of Gleek all the fours were named Tiddy." 'The Four of Clubs is a card of strengthening friendships and increased social capacities. It suggests that the Querent is held in warm affection and high regard by those about him but that he is not fully aware of this cherishing. The intimation is that, in case of need, he may find assistance from unexpected sources. "This card represents gradual growth, a day by day tightening of bonds of affection which may escape the Qu...

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