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Our Proud Heritage
We still love the feel of a fresh stack of cards as much as we did when we printed our very first card over 150 years ago.

Since 1867, The United States Playing Card Company has led the world in designing and manufacturing quality playing cards

That year, we began with just 20 people working together to produce 1,600 packs of cards a day, including the artistic and decorative Congress line.

Although we’re proud of our heritage, we’re even more excited about our future. Our cards can be found in the emerging table-top gaming markets and are staples in the world’s most prestigious casinos. We’re leveraging the latest technologies to create cards that are more durable and tamper-proof—we’ve even developed flameproof cards astronauts can play in space. 

But no matter where our spirit of innovation takes us, we’ll always cherish the part we play as a uniquely American brand, standing ready whenever and wherever people come together for a game of cards. 

1867
1867
1885
1885
1890
1890
1892
1892
1894
1894
1900
1900
1907
1907
1927
1927
1940s
1940s
1960s
1960s
2001
2001
2009
2009
2017
2017

1867

Russell Morgan & Co. is established. The company initially prints theatrical and circus posters, placards, and labels.

1885

Cycling on unicycles, bicycles, and tricycles is taking the country by storm. Employees are asked to suggest an attractive name for a new product, and the name "Bicycle" is enthusiastically accepted. The Rider Back makes its debut and has not gone out of production since.

1890

The Tally-Ho® brand is created by New York Consolidated Card Company.

1892

Bee® playing cards are first created by New York Consolidated Card Company.

1894

The United States Playing Card Company is formed from the United States Printing Company, formerly Russell Morgan & Co.

1900

USPC moves to a newly built factory in Norwood, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati.

1907

The Andrew Dougherty Company merges with USPC.

1927

Aviator® brand is introduced in honor of Charles Lindberg’s historic flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

1940s

WWII: In collaboration with the US government, USPC develops playing cards that aid the war effort. USPC’s Spotter Cards deck features illustrations of tanks, ships, and aircraft used by enemy forces, helping military personnel identify the enemy. USPC also produces special decks of playing cards for American troops that features the latest military intelligence. The cards conceal maps printed between two layers of the cards, which reveal escape routes from prisoner of war camps.

1960s

Vietnam War: The Ace of Spades served a famous purpose in the war in Vietnam. In 1966, two lieutenants wrote USPC and requested decks containing only Bicycle® Aces of Spades. The cards were used for psychological warfare. The Viet Cong were very superstitious and highly frightened by this Ace. The Spades predicted death and suffering, and the Viet Cong even regarded lady liberty as a goddess of death. USPC shipped thousands of the requested decks gratis to troops in Vietnam. The cards were deliberately scattered in the jungle and in hostile villages during raids. The very sight of the Bicycle® Ace card was said to cause many Viet Cong to flee.

2001

USPC purchases Hoyle Products, known for its Hoyle® and Maverick® playing card brands.

2009

USPC relocates to a single-floor facility in Erlanger, KY, further improving operational efficiency and providing a huge opportunity for future expansion.

2017

USPC relaunches the Hoyle® brand as educational card games for kids.