What happens when you cross one of the Greatest American Playing Card Empires with the themes and imagery of the Great Roman Empire? All roads lead to Empire No. 97 playing cards by Andrew Dougherty.

Dougherty had a long and successful career manufacturing playing cards in New York, and some of the most iconic brands began within the walls of his Manhattan facilities. Tally-Ho No. 9, No. 0 Steamboats, No. 50 Indicator and Triplicates No.18, just to name a few.

In 1895, with his health failing, Andrew Dougherty retired from the business and turned the company over to his three sons, Andrew Jr, Edward J. and William Henry. These men had been meticulously groomed for the job since childhood, and together, they carried their dad's legacy into the future. They did this by not only continuing the business but also creating new decks that would honour the family's heritage in the card-making industry. One of the first brands they created on their own was genuinely iconic. Empire No. 97 Playing Cards not only symbolized the Roman Empire but also very much the Dougherty Legacy.

Texan 36 is the first Vintage Reimagined Deck of 2022.

When The Russell & Morgan Printing Company first began production of their Texan ‘45 brand in 1889, they knew nothing summoned the spirits of the Lone Star State better than the history of playing cards in America. From the eastern Piney Forest, across the Rolling Plains, all the way to the banks of the Rio Grande, Texans loved playing cards. They still do today. There couldn’t be a state more associated with their use. Texas Hold ‘Em, anyone?

In 1889, the RMPC was a soon-to-be playing card juggernaut but still in its beginning phases. They had been manufacturing US Playing Cards for eight years, and their product range was constantly expanding. By then, their brands had already encompassed many popular regions, occupations and interests. Steamboats, Sportsman’s, Tigers, Army & Navy, Congress, Capital, Tourists, Bicycle, Cabinet, were all brands keyed into specific demographics, and they all made perfect sense in the eastern United States.

The intended purpose of Texan ‘45s was to fill a deficiency in the market. People wanted an affordable playing card like Tigers/Steamboats but better quality like Bicycle. The RMPC answered the call with a bold new brand designed to fit in- between. Texan playing cards were advertised as “Triple Strength” and “Made especially to meet the demands of players desiring cards with a higher finish.” Texans were also superior in “strength and quality of stock” and would “outwear any similar cards.”

Unlike most brands under the US Playing Cards banner like 606, 707 or 808, Texan playing cards were given a meaningful number for identification and ordering purposes. The number 45 had long been associated with Texas because, in 1845, Texas was annexed into the United States of America and became the 28th state.

This is the May 2022 deck in the Kings Wild Vintage Re-imagined bi-monthly subscription

Of all the incredible decks produced during the 19th Century, none glimmer quite as bright as EL Dorado Playing Cards made by The National Card Company in Indianapolis, Indiana. Named after the elusive Lost City of Gold, owning one of these decks in 1893 might have tricked you into thinking you had found a small part of it. With Gold Edges and heavy use of gold fleck on the back design, there was no other deck that boasted more gilded accents. Even with the theme of El Dorado, card players didn't need to fear the Spanish Conquistadors because this deck was, in fact, as American as you could get.

El Dorado No. ‘49 was first manufactured in the early 1890s and was received as one of Nationals most popular initial brands. This attractive deck was chock-full of mystery and intrigue and evoked the passions of some of the most incredible treasure hunts of all time. Considered an early “mash-up” deck, it contained both the exotic ideas of El Dorado and the imagery of America’s “not so distant” California gold rush in 1849.