World of Paper Empires

World of Paper EmpiresWorld of Paper EmpiresWorld of Paper Empires
  • Home
  • Shop
  • Makers
    • L.I. Cohen
    • Samuel Hart
    • Andrew Dougherty
    • John J. Levy
    • Lawrence & Cohen
    • New York Consolidated
    • US Playing Card Company
  • Image & Art Gallery
  • More
    • Home
    • Shop
    • Makers
      • L.I. Cohen
      • Samuel Hart
      • Andrew Dougherty
      • John J. Levy
      • Lawrence & Cohen
      • New York Consolidated
      • US Playing Card Company
    • Image & Art Gallery
  • Sign In
  • Create Account

  • Orders
  • My Account
  • Signed in as:

  • filler@godaddy.com


  • Orders
  • My Account
  • Sign out

World of Paper Empires

World of Paper EmpiresWorld of Paper EmpiresWorld of Paper Empires

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • Shop
  • Makers
    • L.I. Cohen
    • Samuel Hart
    • Andrew Dougherty
    • John J. Levy
    • Lawrence & Cohen
    • New York Consolidated
    • US Playing Card Company
  • Image & Art Gallery

Account


  • Orders
  • My Account
  • Sign out


  • Sign In
  • Orders
  • My Account
John J Levy - Standard Eagle - Ace of Spades - circa 1870
Playing Card Maker

Introducing John J. Levy

Interesting, unusual, bold and even comical at times. These were the things that set John J. Levy’s playing cards apart from his competition and other successful card making family members. Levy introduced new courts, features and themes to a country heading towards troubled times during the 1850s and 60s.

John J. Levy - Early American Image Gallery

Huestis & Levy - Illustrated American Biographer Advertisement - c1853

    New York’s Brooklyn Bridge Under Construction - circa 1876

    Brooklyn Bridge Under Construction - c1876

    John J Levy’s New York - Brooklyn Bridge under construction - circa 1870s

    Short History - John J. Levy (1830-1895)

    John J. Levy made some of the most eye catching and unusual playing cards of all the early manufacturers. It’s interesting that relatively little was known of the man as compared to his art, especially when considering the volume of work he produced. When you look at his playing cards and packaging, it’s easy to see that he was not quite like the others. His products had a particular New York flare that was not only was a reflection of Levy’s youthful personality, but also his experiences in Manhattan as America was heading for Civil War.


    Born in 1830 in England, John was a nephew of L.I. Cohen and he was an active member of his extensive playing card making family. Levy’s career has been overshadowed by the great successes of his uncle and brother-in-law Samuel Hart. Although he would never reach their monumental heights, it doesn’t mean that his story was any less important.


    Levy strove to set his brand apart with artistic originality from the beginning. He designed a striking new series of court cards and introduced them with his first deck. Levy’s improvements to Playing Cards would have a lasting impact on the industry and he too has a number of firsts connected to him, Beveled Edges and Double-Heads being among them. Levy’s history is also very unique because it contains many of the more sobering elements of life and death, success and failure.


    To Learn John J. Levy’s Full History - Read, Paper Empires Vol I

    John J Levy - Union Playing Cards - Postal Stationery - circa 1850s

    Levy Postal Stationery - c1850s

    What’s Next

    John J Levy Playing Cards - Shop John J Levy Products and Playing Cards
    Shop John J Levy Products
    World of Paper Empires - Jason McKinstry
    Purchase Paper Empires Now

    Copyright © 2022 World of Paper Empires - All Rights Reserved.

    • Home
    • Shop

    This website uses cookies.

    We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

    Accept