Congress

The Congress playing cards collection represents one of America's most prestigious and longest-running playing card brands, with a rich heritage dating back to 1881. First produced by Russell & Morgan Printing Company—which later became the United States Playing Card Company (USPCC)—Congress cards were positioned as the finest and most expensive brand in their original product lineup. These premium cards were the choice of high society, featuring lavish designs, gold-edged finishes, and ornate packaging that reflected the elegance of the Gilded Age.

Congress 606, the signature gold-edge variation, became synonymous with quality bridge play and social card gaming. The brand evolved alongside American card game culture, transitioning from wide "poker" sized decks to narrow "bridge" sized cards in the early 1920s as bridge replaced whist as the nation's favorite card game. Beginning in 1916, Congress started producing narrower decks for whist, and by 1925, when bridge became the game of choice, Congress switched exclusively to narrow-sized decks.

During the 1920s bridge craze, the United States Playing Card Company made an extraordinary commitment to promoting the game by establishing its own radio station, WSAI, which broadcast from 1922 to 1930. Located at the company's Norwood complex in Mason, Ohio, WSAI featured the groundbreaking program "Bridge By Radio"—interactive bridge lessons taught by noted experts including Sidney S. Lenz, Milton Work, E.V. Shepard, and Ella G. Pimm. The station's powerful 500-watt transmitter could reach as far as New Zealand, and in 1926 WSAI became a founding member of NBC's Red network, broadcasting bridge instruction to major cities across America. Listeners could write in for printed reports of each game and advance listings of hands to be played, allowing them to compare their play with the experts. Congress and Bicycle playing cards were featured prominently in this revolutionary programming.

The collection showcases the artistic excellence that made Congress famous—featuring beautiful back designs that were often named in small gold letters, decorative Aces of Spades, and distinctive jokers ranging from the original Dundreary character to elegant matching designs. Many vintage Congress decks featured the proprietary Cel-U-Tone finish that provided superior handling and durability. While mass production ceased in the mid-2000s, Congress remains technically the longest-running original USPCC brand still produced for custom orders today, predating even the iconic Bicycle 808 by four years.