Welcome to the Real House of Cards
Collecting Antique & Vintage Playing Cards
A new American tale is being told and a new collectible adventure awaits in the World of Paper Empires. I'm Author Jason McKinstry, join me in taking a step back into the heart of the nation to look for fresh clues and rare treasures. Let me introduce you to the most significant Early American Playing Card Makers.
THE MANUFACTURERS / Click Images to Explore
L.I. COHEN
ANDREW DOUGHERTY
SAMUEL HART
Being the father of industrial playing card manufacturing made L.I. Cohen rich and famous. It also set his family on a course of business that would last for an entire century.
SAMUEL HART
ANDREW DOUGHERTY
SAMUEL HART
Look back to the Western frontier and see Samuel Hart's Playing cards. Being the most influential maker during Wild West ensured that his cards were spread sea to sea.
ANDREW DOUGHERTY
ANDREW DOUGHERTY
ANDREW DOUGHERTY
Andrew Dougherty was the most successful and driven of all the early playing card makers. Learn about his amazing life and see him single handily take on an entire industry.
JOHN J. LEVY
NEW YORK CONSOLIDATED CARD CO.
ANDREW DOUGHERTY
The Civil War has arrived and America looks for symbols of patriotism. Playing Cards become a part of the effort and John J. Levy was there working to create the right decks.
LAWRENCE & COHEN
NEW YORK CONSOLIDATED CARD CO.
NEW YORK CONSOLIDATED CARD CO.
The true successors to L.I. Cohen’s Playing Card Empire. Run by Solomon Cohen and John M. Lawrence, this duo would continue to bring stunning Patriotic cards to America.
NEW YORK CONSOLIDATED CARD CO.
NEW YORK CONSOLIDATED CARD CO.
NEW YORK CONSOLIDATED CARD CO.
Formed in 1871 as a Consolidation of Samuel Hart, John J. Levy and Lawrence & Cohen. This company boosted four generations of Playing Card Manufacturers.
UNITED STATES PLAYING CARD CO.
NATIONAL CARD CO. - COMING SOON
NATIONAL CARD CO. - COMING SOON
Founded in 1881, The United States Playing Card Company is easily the most successful manufacturer of all time. This industry powerhouse still operates today.
NATIONAL CARD CO. - COMING SOON
NATIONAL CARD CO. - COMING SOON
NATIONAL CARD CO. - COMING SOON
Samuel J. Murray originally began his American card making career employed by the USPCC. After a disagreement in 1886, he left and The National Card Co. was born.
WILLIS W. RUSSELL - COMING SOON
NATIONAL CARD CO. - COMING SOON
WILLIS W. RUSSELL - COMING SOON
Milltown, New Jersey wasn’t ready for Willis W. Russell when he set up shop in 1905. With a factory located in the centre of town and his face on every deck, he was hard to miss.
World of Paper Empires Presents
Image & Art Gallery
Welcome to my brand new section! You never know what you’ll find in here. This is the spot where I will be adding new original works, colourizations, animations and more. Go in and have fun!
Meet Playing Card Historian/Author/Artisan Jason McKinstry
About Me
Hi, I’m Jason McKinstry, Author of Paper Empires. Thank you for coming and being a part of this. I appreciate that you’re here and I wanted to take a moment to tell you a little bit about myself.
I live in Canada with my family not too far from Toronto, Ontario. I have been researching antique American playing cards and their makers for close to ten years. I have been a collector for over twenty-five years and I have experience across a wide spectrum of subjects, from US/World Coins, Stamps and Paper Money to large and small antiques. I’ve even worked quite a bit with high end vintage toys.
I’m a carpenter by trade and specialize in Century Home restoration. I guess you could say that in many ways, I’m intimately familiar with the world of yesterday. I have a keen interest in American History which has allowed me to add substance to every area I study. When I discovered the incredible and largely forgotten world of Early American Playing Cards, all of my experiences came around full circle. I have never found anything as historically significant that was waiting to have its story told. From that point forward I have dedicated myself to bring this hugely important industry into the light for the modern world to see. Let me be your guide and show you what I’ve found... you won’t be disappointed.
