Introducing the NYCCC

In 1871, the three firms of Samuel Hart & Co, Lawrence & Cohen and John J. Levy, partnered together to form the New York Consolidated Card Company. This was a move made to combat the rising pressure of competitors. During the golden years of the business (1871-1894), L.I. Cohen’s descendants produced some of the most beautiful and historically important playing cards ever seen, and most are highly sought after by collectors today..

In 1878 the New York Consolidated Card Co. attended the Paris Exposition and took home the gold medal for their popular Squeezers playing cards. They capitalized on this award and produced many decks that would promote the win such as their famous Gold Medal Squeezers. Also in competition at the fair was Andrew Dougherty, he was awarded a silver medal for his Triplicates Playing Cards. 

In 1894 the New York Consolidated Card Co was purchased by the United States Playing Card Company. The USPCC merger would be considered a friendly takeover as much of the stock/inventory remained the same after the transfer, and as a good faith gesture, a few board members from NYCC were given chairs on the Board of Directors at USPCC. 

From 1894 until 1930 New York Consolidated continued to operate as its own company under the umbrella of USPCC and in that time, still made exceptional playing cards that continued to be a reflection of life in America. After a century of making playing cards and being at the forefront of their industry, the Cohen’s, Hart’s, and Levy’s were gone... but, not forgotten. Their legacy carried on and a few brands of NYCC are still manufactured by the United States Playing Card Company today.

Learn the full origins of the founding members of this great company - Read, Paper Empires Vol I