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American Playing Card Company Records

 Collection — Box: 1 of 1
Identifier: RH-A-4312

Scope and Contents

This collection is composed of one pamphlet and one price list from the American Playing Card Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan, dating approximately 1900.

Dates

  • Creation: 1900

Creator

Biographical / Historical

In an article in the Kalamazoo Gazette published April 20, 1890, the American Playing Card Company announced that it would begin construction of a new factory on “Taylor St, the Simpson lot.” The project had a $50,000 budget and included plans for a 3 story factory employing 50 hands. The company manufactured many different types of cards, as shown in the price list brochure, including Golf, Rover, and Sportingman’s brand playing cards. At the time of its construction and operation, the original plant was managed by W.H. Longley of Ohio. In 1926, Upjohn acquired the building after the plant moved elsewhere and used it as a storage facility up until its eventual destruction in 1966. The plot of land where the plant once stood is still owned by the Upjohn company today.

Extent

1 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased with funds from the Starring Endowment.

Title
American Playing Card Company Records finding aid
Status
Completed
Author
Ella Nelson; Stephanie Chapman
Date
2022-07-27
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490