Advertising Playing Cards

Everett Grist supplies an excellent starting point for collectors interested in advertising playing cards. Playing cards appeal to collectors because of the artwork (on the backs and faces), the historical significance, the advertising, and of course the relative affordability and availability. This book covers primarily U.S. cards, by which Grist probably means U.S. card makers as there are at least a couple of non-U.S. advertisers represented. The card backs take center stage, with no supporting text or images of faces cards or unusual pips or suits, such as noted in Gene Hochman's Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards. The backs, however, are reproduced as full color plates. Cards are arranged alphabetically by advertising category (airlines, banks, food, hotels, etc.), then alphabetically by advertiser. The price guide should be used as a guide for pricing similar decks in mint condition in the original box with jokers and other inserts (calendars or bridge instructions) intact