**Originally Listed At $300**

Western Europe, France, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE; United States, ca. 1940 to 1965 CE. A deck of 41 antique paper playing cards and a United States paper revenue tax stamp. The deck consists of the usual suits, hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades. Differences include a set of "1" rather than aces. The cards have a floral motif in blue on the face. The stamp is printed "PLAYING CARDS 1 PACK U.S. INT. REV." in blue on white paper and issued in 1940. This was to ensure tax payment on a single deck of cards. The tax on playing cards was repealed in 1965. The stamps were not specific for any deck and could be issued to decks originating outside of the US and from earlier years. Size of card: 2.6" L x 1.65" W (6.6 cm x 4.2 cm); stamp: 1.6" L x 0.8" W (4.1 cm x 2 cm)

Provenance: private J. P. collection, Rye, Colorado, USA; ex-Bill Buffinger collection, Hollywood, California, USA. before 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#166189

Staining and discoloration to cards. Missing 11 cards. Not recommended for playing with. Creases and scuffs to cards. Stamp has a cancellation stamp in red. Traces of adhesive on verso.