1901 Pan-American Exposition souvenir playing cards
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1901
This is a complete deck of 52 playing cards plus a joker, issued as a souvenir of the 1901 Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York. The deck is housed in its original red cardboard box, which features gold-tone embossed lettering detailing the official title and the manufacturer's information, including their Washington Street address in Buffalo.
Each of the 52 cards in the deck features a different unique image, showcasing various scenes related to the exposition and surrounding landmarks, such as Niagara Falls. The card backs are decorated with a logo featuring a map of North and South America and the exposition details, surrounded by an ornamental border. The joker card displays similar branding and copyright information from the Pan-American Playing Card Company.
The set represents a historical ephemera collectible from the turn of the 20th century, capturing the visual aesthetic and promotional material associated with the 1901 World's Fair.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Contents
- 52 cards and one joker
- Box dimensions
- 3.75" x 2.75"
Technical characteristics
- Copyright
- 1901
Design
- Motifs
- Pan-American Exposition scenes, Niagara Falls, map of the Americas
- Card back design
- Ornamental border with Pan-American Exposition logo
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Pan-American Playing Card Co.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.