🍊 COMPLETE 1912 M. RIEDER CALIFORNIA SOUVENIR PLAYING CARDS 🍊
A remarkable complete survivor from pre–World War I California: an original “California Souvenir Playing Cards” deck published by M. Rieder of Los Angeles and presented in its original gold-lettered, cloth-covered case.
Explicitly marked “Copyright 1912 by M. Rieder, Los Angeles, Cal.,” this visually extraordinary set contains all 52 playing cards, its original pictorial joker and the original M. Rieder publisher’s advertising card—a complete 54-card issue.
Rather than conventional pip arrangements, every playing card features a different captioned photographic view of early California within a pale-green oval. Collectively, the deck presents a fascinating portrait of the state during the early 20th century, including celebrated buildings, grand hotels, missions, railways, city streets, agricultural scenes and dramatic natural landmarks.
The reverse of every card displays an especially beautiful California citrus design composed of ripe oranges, white orange blossoms and green foliage against a deep black ground, framed by a pale-green border and fine gold rule. The cards also retain their original gold-gilt edges, now naturally mellowed through age and handling.
The original two-piece burgundy-red case is finished with a fine cloth-grain texture and elaborate gold lettering. A fragment of the original blue federal playing-card revenue/tax stamp remains attached, providing another appealing piece of period history.
This is not merely a decorative antique deck—it is a miniature photographic archive of California as it was promoted to travelers more than a century ago.
🍊 DETAILS
• Original antique California Souvenir Playing Cards deck
• Copyright 1912 by M. Rieder of Los Angeles, California
• Complete 54-card issue
• Includes all 52 playing cards: 13 ranks in each of the four suits
• Includes the correct original pictorial donkey joker
• Includes the original M. Rieder publisher’s advertising/descriptive card
• Every playing card features a different captioned California photographic view
• Green-toned oval images with traditional red and black corner indices
• Ripe oranges and white orange-blossom design on every reverse
• Original rounded-corner card construction
• Original gold-gilt card edges
• Original two-piece burgundy-red cloth-covered presentation case
• Ornate gold-stamped case lettering remains clearly legible
• Partial original federal playing-card revenue/tax stamp remains
• Published by an important early Los Angeles postcard and souvenir publisher
• All components appear consistent in printing, design and age
• No reproduction or modern replacement cards are included
• Box measures approximately 3-3/4” × 2-3/4” × 3/4” thick
• Complete deck and box weigh approximately 121.87 grams or 4.299 ounces
✨ CONDITION
The complete set contains 54 original cards: all 52 playing cards, one pictorial joker and one M. Rieder publisher’s advertising card.
Every card has been carefully inspected individually. Remarkably, no tears, creases, punctures, writing, tape, repairs, missing corners or other structural damage were found. All four suits are complete, and no cards are missing.
The cards have been remarkably preserved for their approximately 114-year age. Their red and black indices remain strong and legible, the captioned photographic scenes retain pleasing definition and contrast, and the elaborate orange-and-orange-blossom backs remain colorful and visually striking.
Expected non-damaging evidence of age and handling includes light edge and corner wear, mild toning, scattered small surface marks or rubs, slight soiling and natural age-related variation between individual cards. The deck may also exhibit minor waviness or curvature associated with the age and storage of antique card stock.
The original gilding remains clearly visible and gives the deck tremendous visual character. The gilt edges show natural age and handling wear, including rubbing, dulling, darkening, uneven coloration, small areas of finish loss and oxidation or tarnish. The gilding should not be considered pristine or uniformly bright.
The original two-piece presentation case is considerably more worn than the cards and is in fair, fragile antique condition. It exhibits extensive edge and corner wear, fraying, losses to the burgundy covering, exposed underlying paper or board, rubbing, scratches, scuffs, bumped and compressed corners, and separation and deterioration along portions of the side seams. Both sections of the original case remain present, but the case should be handled carefully.
The original blue federal revenue/tax stamp is heavily torn and only partially present. The remaining fragment has not been removed. Despite the substantial case wear, its elegant gold title and 1912 copyright information remain clearly readable and visually impressive.
No attempt has been made to recolor, reconstruct or cosmetically disguise the wear. The deck and case are being offered in their naturally aged condition. The significant case wear and all visible imperfections are shown openly in the photographs.
Because this is antique paper material, no claim is made that the cards are suitable for regular game play. They are being sold as a historic collectible and display piece.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description and show the exact deck and case you will receive.
An evocative piece of early California tourism history with tremendous crossover appeal for collectors of antique playing cards, California memorabilia, Los Angeles history, vintage photography, early rail and travel material, citrus-industry advertising, postcards and rare paper ephemera. 🍊✨
📦 SHIPPING
• FREE USPS Ground Advantage within the United States
• Tracking included
• International shipping through ’s Global Shipping Program where available
• Carefully packaged to help ensure safe arrival
↩️ RETURNS
All sales are final unless the item has been grossly misrepresented. Please review the complete description and all photographs before purchasing.
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