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US MILITARY
PLAYING CARDS:
These decks of standard playing cards were given to the
soldiers in the forward areas, hospitals, and rest
centers as a form of recreation, and provided in at
least two formats: the regular 52 card decks and in the
special pinochle 48 card decks as well – a popular card
game in the first half of the 20th Century.
Not commonly found, I have
the following decks available, described with
photographs below:
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MILITARY SEA TRANSPORTATION SERVICE PLAYING CARDS:
The Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) was
created in 1949 in an effort to consolidate and
streamline the method of transporting US Military
personnel and equipment overseas. The US Army
transferred their fleet of cargo and transport vessels
to the MSTS, which fell under the umbrella of the US
Navy.
Given the date of the creation of the MSTS, this deck of
cards likely dates from the Korean War era. This set of
regular playing cards is complete with the correct cards
and suits with all 52 cards present plus the Joker
cards. The outer box shows very little wear and the
deck of cards is in like new condition and does not
appear to have been used.
While the soldiers would have obtained these cards
aboard ship during their transit overseas, it is almost
certain they kept them upon disembarking and put them to
use in the field. This is an unusual piece to add to
your GI display. $25
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RED CROSS
PLAYING CARDS: While these Red Cross Decks
were known to have been available as early as World War
Two in this exact same format with the same package
labeling, this particular deck bears the date of
November 21, 1952, likely produced in conjunction with
the Korean War.
This set of regular
playing cards is complete with the correct cards and
suits with all 52 cards present plus the Joker cards. The outer box shows
some wear however
the deck of cards is in like new condition and does not
appear to have been used, and the Red Cross paper tape
seal is still present on the top of the box.
This is an unusual piece to
add to your GI display.
SOLD
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