MOGULS, HARRYS & STEAMBOATS
June 13, 1885
Notes and Queries
A Medium of Intercommunication For Literary Men, General Readers, Etc. (page 472)
Mogul Cards - These are “so called from the device on the wrappers used for this particular sort of cards; the device being a fancy sketch or picture of the Great Mogul". The same authority calls them “playing cards of the first class or best quality,” and quotes the following from Bradshaw's Journal, No. 24, April 16, 1842: “The best cards are called Moguls, the others Harrys and Highlanders; the inferior cards consist of those which have any imperfection in the impression, or any marks or specks on the surface.” The worst are Merry Andrews, not mentioned in Bradshaw's Journal, 1842; but this term, according to Mr. W. De La Rue, is at least thirty, and probably fifty years old, or older still.
June 1906
Magic
Volumes 5 – 7
Steamboat Cards. -The conjurers' favorite cards, and for the following reasons. They are American cards, and the American cards have larger and bolder pips than English cards; they are, therefore, more readily read at a distance; but thin and pliable. Exactly as required for conjuring purposes, especially for "backhand" palming. The black and fresh plaid pattern backs render the edges of cards less likely to be seen, should they protrude between fingers in the "backhand " palm. Low Quality
The Magic Cafe Forum
Posted: Jun 9, 2014 06:21 pm
Bill Hegbli
When the Steamboat cards were first made, they were simply thin paper/card stock. No stiffness or plastic coating to them. They were what the old west and riverboat gamblers used in the late 1800's. They were perfect for the stage manipulator, because with a little fanning powder they were perfect and flexible for front and back palming. They were thin, so you could hold a good number of cards for production. Some magicians still have some of the old Steamboat cards in their trunks.
June 13, 1885
Notes and Queries
A Medium of Intercommunication For Literary Men, General Readers, Etc. (page 472)
Mogul Cards - These are “so called from the device on the wrappers used for this particular sort of cards; the device being a fancy sketch or picture of the Great Mogul". The same authority calls them “playing cards of the first class or best quality,” and quotes the following from Bradshaw's Journal, No. 24, April 16, 1842: “The best cards are called Moguls, the others Harrys and Highlanders; the inferior cards consist of those which have any imperfection in the impression, or any marks or specks on the surface.” The worst are Merry Andrews, not mentioned in Bradshaw's Journal, 1842; but this term, according to Mr. W. De La Rue, is at least thirty, and probably fifty years old, or older still.
June 1906
Magic
Volumes 5 – 7
Steamboat Cards. -The conjurers' favorite cards, and for the following reasons. They are American cards, and the American cards have larger and bolder pips than English cards; they are, therefore, more readily read at a distance; but thin and pliable. Exactly as required for conjuring purposes, especially for "backhand" palming. The black and fresh plaid pattern backs render the edges of cards less likely to be seen, should they protrude between fingers in the "backhand " palm. Low Quality
The Magic Cafe Forum
Posted: Jun 9, 2014 06:21 pm
Bill Hegbli
When the Steamboat cards were first made, they were simply thin paper/card stock. No stiffness or plastic coating to them. They were what the old west and riverboat gamblers used in the late 1800's. They were perfect for the stage manipulator, because with a little fanning powder they were perfect and flexible for front and back palming. They were thin, so you could hold a good number of cards for production. Some magicians still have some of the old Steamboat cards in their trunks.