Interested in these Midway Plastic Coated Risque Cards. Legit? Price?

[MMyslewski]

Here's the pics from the ebay listing. Seems okay to me. Any of you guys have some insight into it?

[andrew daugherty]

It is an Arrco standard bridge deck and pretty typical of the "pin-up" decks of the late 40s and 50s. No special aces, court cards or jokers. Nice to find if it is still sealed. Midway is one of many brands for standard Arrco decks. 

I have some trouble reading the artist's signature. Note that the bottom of the deck leaves blank space for an advertiser's line or two. The playing card companies sold these decks both with the blank spaces and overprinted as advertising premiums.

I did not find a mention of the artist (based on my attempt to read the signature) in "Stacked Decks", the reference book on erotica/pinup playing cards. Mark Lee Rotenberg, Quirk Books, 2006. (Excellent book on the genre. Nicely illustrated.)

Similar decks are still out there in new condition, so the supply isn't scarce. Unless they are mint, sealed decks of Elvgren, MacPherson, Vargas, et al., you should find prices affordable.

The cards do appeal to erotica/pinup collectors as well. Many card collectors collect the pinups as singles.

Nice addition to any collection.

Chris Turner
52 Plus Joker member

[HarryW]

The artist for the deck is Knute "K.O." Munson (1900-1967).  A mint condition single deck may bring as much as $20.  This particular deck is often paired with another displaying a painting by Munson and a mint double deck set may bring as much as $50.  The estimated year of issue is 1960.

Harry Wastrack
52 Plus Joker member & former club president

[Don Boyer]

Harry - glad to see you've finally made your first post!  You've GOT to make a new topic over at "Introduce Yourself" and let the newbies get to know you a little better!