The Brownies and their jokers
Palmer Cox (April 28, 1840 – July 24, 1924) was a Canadian illustrator and author, best known for The Brownies, his series of humorous verse books and comic strips about the mischievous but kindhearted fairy-like sprites. The cartoons were published in several books, such as "The Brownies, Their Book" (1887). Due to the popularity of Cox's Brownies, one of the first popular handheld cameras was named after them, the Eastman Kodak Brownie camera.
The Brownies were based on names and elements from English traditional mythology and Scottish stories told to Cox by his grandmother. The Brownie characters became famous in their day, and at the peak of their popularity were a pioneering name brand within merchandising.
The Brownies were based on names and elements from English traditional mythology and Scottish stories told to Cox by his grandmother. The Brownie characters became famous in their day, and at the peak of their popularity were a pioneering name brand within merchandising.
You can read his book by clicking on the link below.
The most intriguing brownie Jokers are the ones from NCC and the American Playing Card Company of Kalamazoo. In 1891 APCC had a factory in Indianapolis just 1 block away. A fact that has been lost in history. (There will be a story about this in the future).
The two cards represent a "Before" and "After" snowball attack by NCC Superior Cards against the conglomerate of USPC, Andrew Dougherty and the New York Consolidated Card Company. APC was an independent like NCC but why would they represent them on one of their cards? Were they thumbing their noses at the card giants?
The two cards represent a "Before" and "After" snowball attack by NCC Superior Cards against the conglomerate of USPC, Andrew Dougherty and the New York Consolidated Card Company. APC was an independent like NCC but why would they represent them on one of their cards? Were they thumbing their noses at the card giants?
