Manufactured by
The United States Playing Card Company, American, founded 1867
Owned by
Calloway, Cab, American, 1907 - 1994
Date
late 20th century
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product) with cardboard and plastic
Dimensions
H x W x D: 3 9/16 × 2 9/16 × 11/16 in. (9 × 6.5 × 1.7 cm)
Description
A deck of Bee playing cards from the travel wardrobe trunk used by Cab Calloway. The deck is housed in a thin, white, cardboard box with blue text and graphics on the front, back, and side edges. On the front of the pack, printed inside a thin blue frame accented with white dots is a blue banner with large white text that reads [“Bee”] with small additional white text above that reads [REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.]. Below is a blue and white graphic of a bee. At the top is blue text that reads [No. 92 / CLUB SPECIAL] with a graphic of a blue ribbon dividing the text. Printed below the banner is additional blue text that reads [PLAYING CARDS / STANDARD] above a graphic of two branches of laurel branches divided by a small banner with white text that reads [MADE IN U.S.A.]. The back of the packet features a blue art deco style frame with a rectangular graphic of blue diamonds above text that reads [BACK NO 67 / EXTRA SELECTED / FOR CLUB SPECIAL]. The box is partially wrapped with a clear cellophane wrapping. Inside the box is a complete standard 52-card deck of French-suited playing cards and a single joker card, all with a blue diamond pattern back. Also included is a joker card, as well as a card advertising a Euchre set, and a [Guarantee] card which double as two extra joker cards; all with blue diamond pattern backs. The last card is an advertisement for a travel club membership on one side and an advertisement for U.S. Playing Card Company publications on the other.
Place made
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
The Cabell “Cab” Calloway III Collection
Classification
Toys and Games
Accessories and Personal Effects
Type
packs of cards
Topic
Amusements
Band (Music)
Clothing and dress
Conductors (Musicians)
Costume
Entertainers
Jazz (Music)
Singers (Musicians)
Travel
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cabella Calloway Langsam
Object number
A2015.273.1.1.4
Restrictions & Rights
© The United States Playing Card Company
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5976d0bf4-9e2f-424f-9dca-5b83aacc6268

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page