Here?s a deck that should be added to Perfection?s chapter. It was listed in the second edition of Hochman as MSW144. I only have the box that has a tax stamp date of 1894.
Here?s a post by TobyEdwards that explains why the Star deck should be listed under Perfection..
This box is definitely a product of Perfection PCC as the wording and typeface on the sides and bottom of this box exactly match those found on the sides and bottom of the OB for Perfection's Leader No. 325 brand. The word "Enamelled" on the bottom of the box also exactly matches the typeface found on Perfection's other brands such as Tip-Top No. 350, Champion No. 400 and Imperial No. 720 (which was used to advertise a store in Philadelphia). I cannot say, however, that this box originally housed the Star Playing Cards currently listed as NY88. I also do not know how to identify the G.A. & C. initials from the tax stamp on this box but I do not see any relationship between them and Winkley, Dresser & Co. whose name appears on the AS of NY88. I thought "Hub" might refer to one of the department stores sprinkled around the nation at that time but, again, I could find no connection although better internet researchers might be able to establish one.
As for the Star Playing Cards currently listed as NY88 in the latest version of the Dawson/Hochman encyclopedia with a c1900 date, I believe both to be incorrect. Winkley, Dresser & Co. were Boston stationers located at 12 Milk Street. I found listings for them from 1887-1895 and so I think the circa date for this deck should be moved up by at least 5 years, if not 10. When this deck was offered for sale in the last on-line Club auction, it was proven to have been made by Perfection PCC as the back design of dancing cherubs is also found on their Leader No. 325 brand and, perhaps, others. Comparison of the court cards shows them to be nearly identical to court cards found among Perfection's many brands and so I believe this deck should be relisted as PU21 with the NY88 listing to be deleted or reserved for the next new NYCC discovery.
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