Congress playing cards were first printed in 1881 by the Russell & Morgan Printing Co. (later USPCC). There were two types, stock number 404 (plain edges, discontinued around 1890 or so), and stock number 606 (gold edges). In the mid 1890s through the early 1900s you will see "64 Congress" (64 card pinochle), as well as "480 Congress" (48 card pinochle). "Wide" or "poker" sized decks were the norm until around 1922 or 1923, when bridge replaced whist (606W, whist/narrow size, 1910s-1920s) and became the card game of choice. Congress rode this new wave and switched to "narrow", or "bridge" sized decks and never looked back. However in the 1950s, Congress did produce Canasta and Samba decks.
Congress playing cards are still being printed to this day (now being made in Spain), making them the longest-running playing card brand, beating out the Bicycle 808s by four years (1885).
The information contained in this website is the most detailed and up-to-date that you will find anywhere.
Please use the Contact Page to send us any questions or comments, and check out our links below.
Congress playing cards are still being printed to this day (now being made in Spain), making them the longest-running playing card brand, beating out the Bicycle 808s by four years (1885).
The information contained in this website is the most detailed and up-to-date that you will find anywhere.
Please use the Contact Page to send us any questions or comments, and check out our links below.
This site was created by father-and-son collectors Dave "The Play Cardologist" and Kevan "The Congress Guy" Seaney.
We are both members of 52+Joker, the largest playing card collector club in the United States.
This site was created by father-and-son collectors Dave "The Play Cardologist" and Kevan "The Congress Guy" Seaney.
We are both members of 52+Joker, the largest playing card collector club in the United States.
