Whist and Narrow Backs (1916-1930)

In 1916, the Congress brand started producing narrower sized decks for the game of whist. Then in 1922, around the time bridge became the game of choice, USPCC’s Congress brand switched to producing only narrow sized decks, effectively ending poker/wide sized cards for good. Decks of this era used the US6h and US6i aces of spades (See the Ace of Spades page for examples).

In bridge, as in whist, there are four players in two partnerships, each player being dealt 13 cards. But in whist there is always a trump suit, determined by turning up the last card dealt to the dealer, and each player holds and plays his own hand.

The back designs shown on this page were produced between 1916 and 1930, before the Congress brand changed the ace of spades to a very generic design, and the joker changed as well. This may be due to a couple factors: The Great Depression and mass production of decks to accommodate the popularity of bridge. After all, the United States Playing Card Company had their own radio station and broadcasted a show called “Bridge By Radio” on WSAI, which was owned and operated by The USPCC from 1922 until 1930 and located within the complex.

(From bicyclecards.com website) The main reason for the radio station was to promote the game of bridge by broadcasting bridge lessons. In those days, there was no limitation on the range of radio power and the WSAI transmission was so clear and strong that it could be picked up as far away as New Zealand. WSAI was eventually sold in the 1930’s to the Crosley Radio Corporation.

Special thanks to Glenn Currie and Ray Nilsson for supplying many of the images shown here.

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