Catalog of Vintage/Antique Card Backs

[52plusjoker]

Seems to be a lot of interest in Bee decks on this Forum. As a thought - let's see how many different backs there have been since the first deck in 1892. As a start, here is a page from an price list of New York Consolidated Card Co. I imagine there'll be a few surprises there for everyone. Let's hope we wake up in the morning and find a mint Bee deck in our stocking. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[jmrock]

Wow, Wow, and Wow again!!! Just amazing… I know that I certainly have so much more to learn, as do we all, but I could never have imagined to see such history… Just fantastic Tom… I like every one more than the next… They're just fantastic… I would guess that they're next to non-existent in a complete, sealed deck format… You and Judy are very blessed to have such gems in your collection…

[52plusjoker]

You're right - hard to find an old one in decent shape. We have a wonderful collection of PC makers' ephemera - we seemed to take an interest in 35 or so years ago when hardly anybody wanted it. This type of ephemera is so hard to find now. Over time we'll share more and more of what we have so everyone can enjoy it.

[10ofclubs]

Those are awesome! Do we have any idea on how many of these decks are printed? I particularly like the one with clocks.

[WKalush]

Seems to be a lot of interest in Bee decks on this Forum. As a thought - let's see how many different backs there have been since the first deck in 1892. As a start, here is a page from an price list of New York Consolidated Card Co. I imagine there'll be a few surprises there for everyone. Let's hope we wake up in the morning and find a mint Bee deck in our stocking. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I think I've tracked down most of them (with much help from Tom and Judy and others). The price lists are especially helpful as they show what comes in and then goes and are dated. What is the date on the one you scanned Tom?

bk

[52plusjoker]

Will have to look when back home in a day or two for the date.
What we need is a new category where we can store for reference all kinds of info useful to collectors. Lists of backs from certain brands being one of these.

[Don Boyer]

Will have to look when back home in a day or two for the date.
What we need is a new category where we can store for reference all kinds of info useful to collectors. Lists of backs from certain brands being one of these.

We can create a daughterboard of "A Cellar of Fine Vintages" that has reference data such as this.  I'll do that later from work.

[52plusjoker]

Let's hang on a few days and figure what would go in it - like to get Lee's thoughts as well.

[jmrock]

This example is apparently from the Steve Forte Collection… It's supposed to be exceptionally rare… Is anyone familiar with this design?

[jmrock]

As a side note, rather than starting a new topic, since this is Bee related, I thought I'd post a pic of a fun piece of what appears to be a vintage advertising card… It measures roughly 5"X7" and has a cardboard kickstand in the back…

[52plusjoker]

Will have to look when back home in a day or two for the date.
What we need is a new category where we can store for reference all kinds of info useful to collectors. Lists of backs from certain brands being one of these.

We can create a daughterboard of "A Cellar of Fine Vintages" that has reference data such as this.  I'll do that later from work.

Will get on to this in the Source next week.

[52plusjoker]

As a side note, rather than starting a new topic, since this is Bee related, I thought I'd post a pic of a fun piece of what appears to be a vintage advertising card… It measures roughly 5"X7" and has a cardboard kickstand in the back…

Nice piece - likely the 1930 's.  Have seen similar.

[Don Boyer]

Will have to look when back home in a day or two for the date.
What we need is a new category where we can store for reference all kinds of info useful to collectors. Lists of backs from certain brands being one of these.

We can create a daughterboard of "A Cellar of Fine Vintages" that has reference data such as this.  I'll do that later from work.

Will get on to this in the Source next week.

I'll do it right now.  Takes only a second.

[WKalush]

This example is apparently from the Steve Forte Collection… It's supposed to be exceptionally rare… Is anyone familiar with this design?

That's the Bee back 250 ca. 1913. There are rarer ones. Has anyone seen a card or a pack of Bee back 217?

bk

[52plusjoker]

Still looking for my NYCC price lists et al. Gotta be around somewhere!

[WKalush]

Still looking for my NYCC price lists et al. Gotta be around somewhere!

I think you sold them to me!

[52plusjoker]

Still looking for my NYCC price lists et al. Gotta be around somewhere!

I think you sold them to me!

Yikes - that explains it!

[Pip Nosher]

The same NY Consolidated Card Co. scrapbook I mentioned in the Oak Leaf discussion has some interesting Bee backs and related items. As soon as I get around to scanning those pages I will post some pictures here.

[WKalush]

I'd like to see that scrapbook. Want to meet for coffee?

bk

[spindles]

Back No. 207 wouldn't exactly be considered politically correct today, would it? Now, that'd be an interesting topic--former mainstream decks that wouldn't be sold today. I'm new, so perhaps there even is one already. Great original photo of the Bees!

[Don Boyer]

Back No. 207 wouldn't exactly be considered politically correct today, would it? Now, that'd be an interesting topic--former mainstream decks that wouldn't be sold today. I'm new, so perhaps there even is one already. Great original photo of the Bees!

There's been a few decks over the years that would fit that description.  Sometimes it's the back design, often it's the jokers.

[Cryptocard27]

I would want to open a new subject  that is very close to my heart, concerning a project about antique playing cards which I would like to realize.

I wish to combine in an article or a booklet, most of the backs which were used by several us playing card makers.

I have already begun this work and for the moment, it concerns the standard monotone and antique backs.

I attached some pictures of the names of back which I have now. I know that I am lacking a lot of names or back design and for that reason, I would like to ask your help, because I can not do it alone.

If you are volunteer to help me, if you have interesting information, scan, ephemera, and if you wish to share them for this project, you are really welcome. I think that it would be really enriching that several people can participate.

If you have ideas, remarks, advice to create that, please feel free.
The last photo corresponds to the books which could certainly be very useful to facilitate the development of the project.

[Don Boyer]

I would want to open a new subject  that is very close to my heart, concerning a project about antique playing cards which I would like to realize.

I wish to combine in an article or a booklet, most of the backs which were used by several us playing card makers.

I have already begun this work and for the moment, it concerns the standard monotone and antique backs.

I attached some pictures of the names of back which I have now. I know that I am lacking a lot of names or back design and for that reason, I would like to ask your help, because I can not do it alone.

If you are volunteer to help me, if you have interesting information, scan, ephemera, and if you wish to share them for this project, you are really welcome. I think that it would be really enriching that several people can participate.

If you have ideas, remarks, advice to create that, please feel free.
The last photo corresponds to the books which could certainly be very useful to facilitate the development of the project.

We already have one topic that's covering Bee antique backs.  I'm going to combine the two.

You're definitely in the right place to kick such a project off!

[Cryptocard27]

We already have one topic that's covering Bee antique backs.  I'm going to combine the two.

You're definitely in the right place to kick such a project off!

Thank you Don for the movement and sorry to have create a new subject for that..

[Don Boyer]

We already have one topic that's covering Bee antique backs.  I'm going to combine the two.

You're definitely in the right place to kick such a project off!

Thank you Don for the movement and sorry to have create a new subject for that..

No need for apologies.  If we can make a dent in a project that size, that would be fantastic.