New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-26
ONLY TIE OLD DESIGNS SELL.
CARD PLAYERS sUpERsTITIoUs ABOUT THE
BACKS OF THEIR CARDS.

CARD PLAYERS sUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT THE
BACKS OF THEIR CARDS
People nowadays are not generally superstitious'
tha,, do not believe in signs and and porten-
tous forewarnings of good and evil. Occasionally
one meets an Individual who avoids beginning an
undertaking Friday or is careful about MS OF He
position wnen first viewing the new MOON ou'
the majority by far, prosac reaiists ana prone
to ay full in the face of time -honored traditions.
Re that as It may, however. the practised caro-
plaver individually and collectively. believes that
lvck will desert him II he essays to play with cards
whose Illuminated backs are designed other than
the peculiar pattern to which he has peen ac-
customed. A card manufacturer In the business
for a quarter OF a century. observes that whether
the buyers come from the Pacific Slope or the Next
can borders. the Eldorado of the pork packers or
the sober trade centres OF the East all are alike In
demanding a certain long familiar style Of back for
their local trade.
"Admraoie admirable, artistic and unobrusve;
but IL would be money thrown away for me 10 BUY
IT," said san Francisco representative IN reference
TO a new design. The California players are used
to thu. ange, back as they call It 0n reality you
will observe that one of the angels is goap, and
would not think of beginning game with any oiher
sort of cards Why, In tho weil-established c'uDS
ont there YOU will see veteran player pull out a
pack OF angel backs from his pocket, using them
in preference to those having the club design.
.,The fellows like the lily back there. ana rs no
use trying to Introduce any other kind. I've sold
polo designs football. yachting. floral and what not
Peopc nut them on the centretablc as objects OF IN
erest but when those who play In earnest SIT down
for a rubber they call for the lily backs
"It's curious about these ford, high-coored de-
s.rns 70 be found all through Germany and Austria
observed one Of the proprietors. pulling out DOCK
OF samples. Some OF them are really beautiful as
miniatures or floral pieces. Go into the ta'er"S
o,a asscr,bly-rooms where the card devotees are
r,,iv cniovinr themselves. and you'll find only the
most sober. conventional backs in use Those with
The beautiful maids and garlanded oxen are ree-
gated to the background"
.Is there anything IN card designing for an aspir-
ing artist asked bystander.
"Well no." was the answer. THE sticking to old
fayorI;es is a dccp-roote1 obstacle to his success
Now and again a wealthy club gives an order Tor 4
symbols and co.ors We would pay p9ssIoN
Hundred dollars FOR design of that KIND IN ad,
dillon we may purchase perhaps twenty orlelidI
iasirns during the year most OF which become a
drug in the market. rs poor business for de-
tcrn offered small and apparently PRACTICAL some
thing in butterflies and buttercups ana az that.
really charming but We don't want H. No'o's
What are those odd-looking stamps in sheets as
Won Get then, at the postofcr"'
Ion We have to buy those from the Government;
two cents for each pack We put on the market Ihey
though there are many more cards IN use.
The bottom has fallen out OF the playing care "a
business" continued the manufacturer. We have
run the factory these two years merely to Keep
the employees together our machinery Is 80 per
her Of packs than to reduce the number. We have
boxes piled up with fine goods which we nope 70
realize on some day. though the prospect Is disinal
at present Too much competition and various other
conditions are the causes OF the trouble r pt one ne
los; sight OF altogether.