Hard-A-Port Cut Plug

Np: MacLin-Zimmer-McGill, 1890. Stiff Boards. Orig. decorated light blue and white illustrated backs. Fine. Complete deck of 53 chromolithographic playing cards, 9.5 x 5.5 cm., including the "Little Joker." The Aces and numeral cards have the suit symbols superimposed over the costumes. Backs in blue and white depicting a sailor at the helm with the advertising line, "Smoke and Chew Hard-A-Port Cut Plug." Hard-a-Port Cut Plug” tobacco insert playing cards published by MacLin-Zimmer-McGill (USA) c.1890, featuring a selection of beautiful actresses from a past era, in poses some might consider risqué. This set of designs was used in around six different editions with various backs advertising “Hard-a-Port Cut Plug” and/or “Trumps Long Cut” chewing tobacco. They were originally produced by Moore and Calvi, then by their successors MacLin and Zimmer and Maclin-Zimmer-McGill in around the 1890s. The “Hard-a-Port Cut Plug” series depicts actresses with angelic faces dressed for the pantomime or dance hall.