Great Mogul Playing Cards

Great Mogul Playing Cards 

The Great Mogul name stands among the oldest and most storied brands in playing-card history. First registered in England in 1741, “Great Mogul” began as a maker’s mark (an early trademark) and quickly became a signal of quality—then spread worldwide through export trade and decades of international production.

Great Mogul: 280+ Years of Playing Card History

• 1741: London cardmaker Christopher Blanchard registers “Great Mogul” as a trademark—an exotic, prestige name inspired by the “Great Mogul” imperial title.
• 1742–1743: The mark becomes so valuable that imitators use it. A famous dispute (“Blanchard v Hill”) helps show how early and imperfect trademark protection was in the 1700s.
• 1800s: “Mogul” and “Great Mogul” appear across many makers and markets, often in multiple grades (e.g., Court Moguls, Oriental Moguls, Double Moguls, Great Moguls), becoming a recognized export-era quality label.
• Early 1900s: Mogul cards were exported to India at huge scale—documented in trade records as roughly 19,000 dozen packs (228,000 packs).
• Mid-20th century: The Great Mogul name shows up on decks made for international markets—including a documented USPCC Great Mogul production for Thailand around the 1960s.
• Today: Great Mogul lives on as a cult-favorite “workhorse” deck: genuine USPCC factory seconds repackaged under the Great Mogul name—giving you authentic American-made handling at a lower price.

What You’re Buying Today

Our current Great Mogul items feature an ornate, heritage-inspired Great Mogul tuck box with genuine USPCC-made Rider Back cards inside. These are official factory seconds, meaning minor cosmetic imperfections on the tuck and/or cards that do not affect normal shuffling or gameplay—ideal for high-volume play, practice, and everyday tables.

Quick Shop: Great Mogul

• Single deck (choose Red or Blue): Great Mogul – Individual Deck (Poker Size, Traditional Index)
• Brick (12 decks): Great Mogul – Brick (12 Decks, Poker Size, Traditional Index)

Related shopping: Bicycle · Magic · Bulk & Bricks

Great Mogul FAQ

How old is the Great Mogul brand?
Great Mogul traces back to 1741 in England, making it one of the oldest brand names still seen in modern card packaging.

Are these Bicycle cards?
The cards inside are genuine USPCC-made Rider Back playing cards. Great Mogul today is commonly used as a “seconds” label for authentic USPCC decks with minor cosmetic imperfections.

What does “factory seconds” mean?
Factory seconds are official decks with minor cosmetic imperfections (tuck and/or cards) that do not affect normal handling, shuffling, or gameplay.

What’s included in the Great Mogul brick?
A brick is 12 decks—ideal for clubs, events, venues, and anyone who wants the best price per deck.

What games are these best for?
They’re a great all-purpose deck for poker, rummy, solitaire, and everyday play—and a favorite for high-usage tables and practice decks.