The company today known as the United…
February 1885 CE
The company today known as the United States Playing Card Company begins printing Bicycle cards, which will become their most popular line, in 1885.
The typical Bicycle deck (Poker-standard Type 808) is a standard issue deck of cards consisting of fifty-two traditional Anglo-American playing cards, two jokers, an information card, and a card describing poker ranks.
As with most decks, the first standard card of the deck is the uniquely stylized Ace of Spades.
The Bicycle trademark is usually also printed on the Ace of Spades.
The type number of a Bicycle deck can be found both on the bottom of the deck box and on the stone of the Joker artwork.
The forerunner of the United States Playing Card Company had been founded in 1867 as Russell, Morgan & Co., a printing company.
They began printing playing cards, with the "Congress No. 606" line being the first, in 1881.
Congress is currently the USPC's signature brand name for bridge cards and accessories.
Congress cards come in an assortment of back designs.
Each Congress deck consists of the fifty-two standard cards, two jokers, and an information card describing bridge scoring.