Great Mogul

The Great Mogul name stands among the oldest and most prestigious in card history, tracing its origins to 1741 when Christopher Blanchard registered the “Great Mogul” mark in England. Named after the rulers of India’s Mughal Empire, early Great Mogul decks quickly became synonymous with luxury, exoticism, and export success, carried by British officers, passed between cultures, and admired for their striking court images and elegant finishes.

Over centuries, the Great Mogul brand has been produced by famous makers across Europe and America—from Blanchard, Goodall, Dougherty, and others, to the United States Playing Card Company. Its back designs and ace of spades have shifted over time, but the air of regal grandeur and exotic origins have always attracted collectors and card connoisseurs.

Today, Great Mogul persists as a cult favorite, with new productions evoking the golden age of transcontinental card play—and the modern USPCC edition draws heavily from the legacy of Bicycle and classic casino decks.