November 19, 2020: Fall Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/19/2020
In the 1930s, a series of 50 cards with bridge hands was arranged by bridge expert Milton C. Work and packed in "Lucky Strikes Flat Fifties" tins. These are extraordinarily intricate and delicate “cards” that are 4-by-5 ½ inches, with supremely elegant images at the center and die cut tabs and punchout numerals that were intended for play and scoring. The cards have various glamorous images on the front: some with Miss America, some with actors and actresses of the time. The purchaser is invited to play the hand: "Try your skill first - then read bidding and play by Milton C. Work on back - to play cards, bend back out of sight - as tricks are won, press down score tabs." As noted, the bidding and play of the hands are shown on the back of each. Given the nature of the cards inviting collectors to fold and remove punchouts, finding examples like this presenting in essentially Near-Mint or better condition is remarkable. The immaculate array offered here includes card Nos. 2, 15, 16, 18 (Jean Harlow) and 29. Card No. 15 has a tiny pencil notation presumably indicating a secondary market price tag and Card No. 16 has some light pencil notations on the back denoting the set and its American Card Catalog designation (T-13). Both instances are quite unobtrusive and hardly detract from the presentation of otherwise insanely pristine cards that are nearly 100 years old.
1930s Lucky Strike Society Miss and Society Matrons Bridge Cards (5)
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