Squeezers Playing Cards: Collector’s Guide

Squeezers is a historic American playing card brand known for its iconic back designs—most notably the Bulldog Back and the Angel Back. This guide explains what collectors look for, how the classic backs are identified, and how modern editions at ClassicDecks are organized.

Quick Links

• Squeezers Brand Hub
• Shop All Squeezers
• Shop Squeezers Bulldog Back
• Shop Squeezers Angel Back 
• Shop Squeezers Thin Crushed

What Are Squeezers Playing Cards?

Squeezers is best understood as a “backs-first” brand. Rather than being defined by multiple formats, the brand’s identity centers on distinctive back artwork that became recognizable to players and collectors over generations. For modern collectors, Squeezers is most often discussed through two classic designs: the Bulldog Back (the flagship motif) and the Angel Back (a companion motif with a more ornate visual style).

At ClassicDecks, Squeezers is organized to make shopping and collecting straightforward: Bulldog Back editions are available now in traditional and collector colorways, while Angel Back editions are planned for future release.

History of Squeezers Playing Cards

Squeezers began as a 19th-century American brand at the New York Consolidated Card Company, later becoming part of the Consolidated-Dougherty division within The United States Playing Card Company. The name “Squeezers” referred to the then-modern idea of indexed cards that players could squeeze into a tight fan instead of spreading them across the table.

While the 1877 territorial sales agreement between the New York Consolidated Card Company (NYCCC) and Andrew Dougherty marked an early collaboration to divide markets and reduce competition, the full merger did not occur until 1930. In that year, NYCCC, Dougherty, and the Standard Playing Card Company combined to form the Consolidated-Dougherty subsidiary under the United States Playing Card Company (USPC). This progression solidified Squeezers' place in USPC's portfolio, with production continuing under the new entity until 1962, when Consolidated-Dougherty became a direct USPC division.

Over time, the line narrowed to a few core back designs, with Bulldog and Angel becoming the most recognizable faces of the brand. Modern Squeezers decks continue that tradition, keeping the heritage artwork while using contemporary stock and printing methods for reliable play.

Squeezers Bulldog Back

The Bulldog Back is the most recognizable Squeezers design and the primary entry point for most collectors. The artwork is bold and easy to spot at a glance, and it has long been associated with classic American card play and collecting.

The Bulldog Back design, introduced around 1877, symbolizes the territorial sales agreement between the New York Consolidated Card Company (makers of Squeezers) and Andrew Dougherty (makers of Triplicates, often called 'Trip'). It features two chained bulldogs named 'Squeezer' and 'Trip' vying over a bone under a moon, with the motto 'There is a tie that binds us to our Homes.' This artwork commemorates the pact that divided sales territories to reduce competition, adding a layer of intriguing rivalry to the deck's heritage.

How to Identify the Bulldog Back

• Primary motif: Two bulldogs beneath a moon (high-contrast, character-driven artwork).
• Collector appeal: Strong linework and a design that reads clearly from a distance.
• Practical note: Many collectors and magicians value bold, instantly recognizable backs for handling and presentation.

Why Collectors Start With Bulldog

Bulldog Back is the “core icon” for Squeezers—meaning it’s the design most people expect when they hear the name, and it’s where the most meaningful set-building happens through colorways (traditional and modern variants).

Bulldog Back Colorways at ClassicDecks

Modern Squeezers Bulldog Back editions at ClassicDecks are offered in both traditional and collector colorways. If you’re building a set, a common approach is to start with the traditional pair (red and blue), then add collector colors as your “variant” set.

Traditional Colorways

• Red Bulldog Back — the classic red entry point.
• Blue Bulldog Back — the classic companion to red.

Collector Colorways

• Black Bulldog Back — a premium-looking modern variant.
• Purple Bulldog Back — a heritage-modern crossover color.
• Teal Bulldog Back — a distinctive, non-traditional collector colorway.

Browse all Bulldog Back editions here: Squeezers Bulldog Back Collection.

Squeezers Angel Back

The Angel Back is the second major Squeezers identity motif—more ornate and heritage-forward in feel. In the modern ClassicDecks lineup, Angel Back editions are planned for a later re-release as a slightly premium companion series to Bulldog Back.

What to Expect From the Angel Back Release

• Planned colors: Red and Blue, plus one additional colorway.
• Positioning: Slight premium relative to Bulldog Back editions.
• How to collect it: Angel Back works well as a “second pillar” set—ideal after completing the Bulldog colorway run.

Angel Back collection page (will populate as editions release): Squeezers Angel Back Collection.

Collecting Squeezers

Most collectors build Squeezers in two phases: (1) complete the Bulldog Back colorways, then (2) add Angel Back editions as the companion prestige set. This approach keeps the collection cohesive and historically grounded while still leaving room for modern variants.

Recommended Starter Set

• Bulldog Back Red
• Bulldog Back Blue

Recommended Collector Expansion

• Bulldog Back Black
• Bulldog Back Purple
• Bulldog Back Teal
• Angel Back 

Condition Notes (What Collectors Watch)

• Edges & corners: shelf wear is common; crisp corners matter to collectors.
• Cello & seals: intact packaging increases giftability and collector value.
• Consistency: collectors favor sets where colorways and editions are clearly labeled and easy to verify.

Thin Crushed Finish

A new Squeezers edition is organized under a dedicated Thin Crushed collection for shoppers who prefer a softer, broken-in feel out of the box. If handling feel is a priority, this is the fastest way to narrow your options.

Browse: Squeezers Thin Crushed Collection.

How to Identify Modern Squeezers

For modern Bulldog Back Squeezers, identification is straightforward: check the back design (bulldogs and moon), the stated colorway on the tuck, and the printing information on the side or bottom panel. ClassicDecks listings always include the color name, back type, and finish in the title so set-building is easier and less ambiguous.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Squeezers playing cards still made?

Squeezers is a historic brand that continues through modern editions. At ClassicDecks, current availability is centered on Bulldog Back editions, with Angel Back editions planned for a later re-release.

What is the Squeezers Bulldog Back?

Bulldog Back is the flagship Squeezers design and the most commonly collected entry point. At ClassicDecks it is available in traditional red and blue plus collector colorways including black, purple, and teal.

What is the Squeezers Angel Back?

Angel Back is a companion Squeezers motif with more ornate, heritage-forward artwork. ClassicDecks plans Angel Back editions for a later re-release in red and blue plus one additional colorway as a slightly premium series.

Are modern Squeezers editions collectible?

Yes—especially when issued as clearly defined colorways and companion series. Many collectors build complete sets (red/blue plus collector colors) and then add Angel Back editions as the secondary pillar.

Why do you have separate Squeezers collections?

The collections are organized to match how people shop and collect: an all-Squeezers view, a Bulldog Back view, an Angel Back view, and a Thin Crushed view for shoppers focused on handling feel.

What does the Bulldog Back design represent?

The Bulldog Back, introduced around 1877, symbolizes the territorial sales agreement between NYCCC (makers of Squeezers) and Andrew Dougherty (makers of Triplicates, or 'Trip'). It depicts two chained bulldogs labeled 'Squeezer' and 'Trip' competing over a bone under a moon, with the motto 'There is a tie that binds us to our Homes.' This artwork highlights the pact that divided U.S. sales territories to ease rivalry, adding a fun historical layer to the deck. For more on this, see the Bulldog Back section above.

When did the major mergers happen in Squeezers' history?

Squeezers originated with NYCCC in the 1870s. A key 1877 agreement with Dougherty set the stage for collaboration, but the full merger into Consolidated-Dougherty occurred in 1930 under USPC. This integrated NYCCC, Dougherty, and Standard Playing Card Company, preserving brands like Squeezers. Check the history section for the full timeline.

How do modern Squeezers differ from vintage ones?

Vintage Squeezers from the late 1800s used stiffer stock and traditional Cambric finishes, often with limited colorways like red and blue. Modern reprints at ClassicDecks maintain authentic designs (e.g., Bulldog and Angel backs) but add options like thin-crushed finishes for better handling and collector colorways (black, purple, teal). They're printed on contemporary USPC-grade stock for durability while honoring the heritage.

Ready to Build Your Squeezers Collection?

Whether you are starting with a simple red-and-blue Bulldog pair or aiming for a full run of colorways, ClassicDecks keeps Squeezers organized by back design, finish, and feel. Browse all Squeezers decks or email photos of your collection to questions@classicdecks.com if you’d like help identifying what you have.

Return to the Squeezers Brand Hub or shop All Squeezers.