This card box came to my attention when I came across an article in The American Stationer recently.
The American Stationer
May 9, 1889
Whenever an article of merit is placed on the market, which commands well-deserved popularity, it is not surprising that its owners should now and then, find unscrupulous parties endeavoring to impose upon the public either by foisting imitations or by selling the patent as the reputed owner. Here is a case in point R. H. McCutcheon & Co 221 to 227 Canal street who have purchased from Brown & Powers and the New York Novelty Company the patent for cases for holding playing cards which patent was issued to Geo. W. Mintzer in September 1888, have received intelligence from buyers that E. Harrison Powers, who was recently arrested in St Louis on a charge of swindling, is selling the playing card holder without authority and under the plea that he is the owner or part owner of the patent. Messrs McCutcheon & Co prepared to take legal steps to protect themselves as they have purchased the patent outright and the New York News Company is their active selling agent.
The American Stationer
May 9, 1889
Whenever an article of merit is placed on the market, which commands well-deserved popularity, it is not surprising that its owners should now and then, find unscrupulous parties endeavoring to impose upon the public either by foisting imitations or by selling the patent as the reputed owner. Here is a case in point R. H. McCutcheon & Co 221 to 227 Canal street who have purchased from Brown & Powers and the New York Novelty Company the patent for cases for holding playing cards which patent was issued to Geo. W. Mintzer in September 1888, have received intelligence from buyers that E. Harrison Powers, who was recently arrested in St Louis on a charge of swindling, is selling the playing card holder without authority and under the plea that he is the owner or part owner of the patent. Messrs McCutcheon & Co prepared to take legal steps to protect themselves as they have purchased the patent outright and the New York News Company is their active selling agent.
Robert H McCutcheon of course was one of the directors of NCC at this time. His primary business location was at 221-227 Canal Street in New York City even though he also had a home in Indianapolis. This was the first time I had heard of National cards possibly being sold in these card cases. The article does appear almost 6 months before they were putting cards on the market and over a year before Samuel J. Murray patents his box. It would be a great find to locate a deck in one of these boxes.
George Washington Mintzer Sr.was born March 16, 1837 in the city of Philadelphia. He was the proprietor of Mintzer Bros. Book Binders. George was appointed the superintendent of Dickinson Square Park in Philadelphia (1893-1913). He was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a Republican in 1904 and resigned from the House, April 15, 1905. George then became the assistant bookkeeper and assistant paying teller of the Treasurer's office in Philadelphia. He died, May 13, 1913 in Philadelphia.