In The Beginning......
What does an advertising man, an insurance broker, a mentalist, an internal revenue agent and a music teacher have in common? They created, and organized, the popularity of playing card collecting over 80 years ago. And now you will learn who these "pioneers of playing card collecting" were.
Let's start with the "story" of the beginning. I recently heard this story from Hilary Oates of Australia, who is President of the Melbourne Playing Card Collectors. Like all old, often repeated stories there is usually a grain of truth. Here is what I was told....
In 1927 a group of gentlemen gathered at the Golf and Country Club, in Dunedin, Florida. One person in attendance was a man celebrated as Americas best short story writer. He brought up the topic of ‘hobbies’ and particularly how people start collecting things such as cigar bands, chauffeur badges and other trifles, of no intrinsic value. He wondered who started these fads and how were they kept going. Rashly a gentleman, Mr. Gordon K. MacEdward stated that he could start a new hobby, collecting some item that would achieve popularity and recognition within five years. Another man bet $500.00 that he couldn’t.
Mr. MacEdward took up the challenge. “What will it be”? Mr MacEdwards searched for an idea, saw about thirty or forty decks of playing cards strewn face down on tables – relics of a women’s Bridge tournament, that had been at the Club that afternoon. They provided an attractive spot of colour in that dimly lit room. “Individual specimens of the designs on playing cards” Mr. MacEdwards stated loudly. He won the bet and his new hobby turned out to be collecting backs of playing cards, Jokers and Spade Ace. A hobby that now involves people world-wide. The first Club to follow Mr. MacEdward's ‘hobby theme’ was named the Playing Card Collectors Association.
Is this the total or partial truth? Or is it total fabrication? Let's start with this MacEdwards character.
GORDON KENNETH MacEDWARD
About 1860 Gordon's grandfather had moved from Inverness, Scotland, to Carleton, Ontario, Canada, Gordon's father grew up there until at age 17 (1885) he came to America and started working on the Chicago and Atlantic Railway. This railway was an important connection between the Columbus, Ohio, metropolitan area and Chicago, Illinois. Eventually, it stretched to the East Coast.
While William MacEdward was working on part of the line in Indiana he met Luetta Hilligoss. Her father was the editor of a well known newspaper in Anderson, Indiana. They married in 1887 and the next year Gordon was born in Huntington, Indiana, where his father was now stationed.
That same year his father lost almost $10,000 on a construction venture. William had gone into business with a friend from Ontario to build the Belle Isle Bridge from Detroit, Michigan, to the island. His partner in Detroit was a bad businessman and lost their money. Fortunately, William got out of the business before it got worse. His railroad job was more reliable. Before long William was promoted and moved the family to Elmira, New York. In 1903 he retired and moved to Saginaw, Michigan. With the University of Michigan nearby Gordon headed to school there in 1906.
That same year his father lost almost $10,000 on a construction venture. William had gone into business with a friend from Ontario to build the Belle Isle Bridge from Detroit, Michigan, to the island. His partner in Detroit was a bad businessman and lost their money. Fortunately, William got out of the business before it got worse. His railroad job was more reliable. Before long William was promoted and moved the family to Elmira, New York. In 1903 he retired and moved to Saginaw, Michigan. With the University of Michigan nearby Gordon headed to school there in 1906.
Gordon graduated in 1910 with a degree in literature and then went to work for Gray Motors as their Advertising Manager. Originally called the Michigan Yacht and Power Company, Gray Marine Motor Company was a U. S. manufacturer of marine engines between 1910 and 1967. These ranged from one to six cylinders in both gas and later diesel layouts, which were used in pleasure boats, work boats, and military craft.
The advertising business seemed to be made for Gordon. He was really good at it. In 1912 he went to work for the Detroit Lubricating Company as their Advertising Manager.
In 1905 a non-profit advertising organization called the Detroit Adcraft Club was formed by 30 advertising men. The purpose was to connect, educate, inspire and celebrate the Detroit marketing community. A great place for social networking. It is still a thriving organization today. Gordon was an early member and in 1913 was elected Treasurer. The next year he also served on the Detroit Board of Commerce.
By 1915 Gordon had left the lubricating business and had gone to work for Chalmers Motor Car Company. It was an American car company at the time headquartered in Detroit. Chalmers had started in 1908 and continued production of high-end vehicles until 1923 when it merged with Chrysler. In December 1915 Gordon resigned as Assistant Advertising manager from the car company to become a stockholder, director and advertising manager of the new H. A. Jones Real Estate Company in Detroit.
In 1915 he also got married. She was Bessie Bowers, a 27 year old New York girl living in Detroit with her widowed mother. The next year they had a daughter named Elizabeth.
In September 1917 a strange thing happens. Mrs. MacEdward decides the patriotic thing to do for the war effort is to allow her husband to go to war. When he registered in July for service in World War I he was granted an exemption for being married with a young child. Now Gordon has also agreed to the idea of dropping the exemption.
How very patriotic of Gordon to do this. But wait, there was more to this idea. You see, also in July Bessie had filed for divorce from Gordon. She had filed for "extreme cruelty" which was the same reason that Gordon's mother filed against his father just two years earlier. Maybe the time apart would help the marriage. Gordon joins the Army immediately and is made an officer.
Gordon was made a Lieutenant of Field Artillery and stationed at Camp Sherman in Ohio during the war. He also conducted a vocational school for soldiers about sales and advertising there.
During this time he has a brush with history. In 1919 Private Frank Hobel, of the Medical Corps, was also stationed at Camp Sherman. One day he became sick with tuberculosis and was hospitalized there. While in the camp hospital, he told a fascinating story to another patient. That patient alerted his superiors. Soon Gordon, now an Intelligence Officer, showed up to interview Hobel.
During this time he has a brush with history. In 1919 Private Frank Hobel, of the Medical Corps, was also stationed at Camp Sherman. One day he became sick with tuberculosis and was hospitalized there. While in the camp hospital, he told a fascinating story to another patient. That patient alerted his superiors. Soon Gordon, now an Intelligence Officer, showed up to interview Hobel.
Hobel told Gordon that he was one of the people that were to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand that started World War I. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, were assassinated on 28 June 1914. A Bosnian Serb student named Gavrilo Princip, shot them at close range while they were being driven through Sarajevo, the provincial capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina, formally annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908.
Hobel gave details about the plot and how his father gave him almost $8,000 to escape Sarajevo. He said he found his way to Turkey and then found a ship to New York. From there he fled to a brother's house in Lorain, Ohio. He was working in the shipyard there until being drafted for the war effort.
Strangely enough, even after the Army believed his story, nothing more is printed about Hobel. He does not appear in any books or stories I could find. He died in 1936 in Chicago and is buried in Niles, Illinois. If true, as it seems, his inside information to the assassination plot would be invaluable to historians. Especially since he was the only one not caught and executed.
In late 1919 Gordon returns to Detroit and goes back to his old job at H. A. Jones. The one place he does not return to his home. He and his mother move into their own home together while he and his wife go to court to argue over their property.
The divorce is not finalized until 1921. By then Mrs. MacEdward and their daughter are living with her sister's family. In 1924 she marries local businessman George Turner. Gordon's daughter then has her last name changed to Turner.
The divorce is not finalized until 1921. By then Mrs. MacEdward and their daughter are living with her sister's family. In 1924 she marries local businessman George Turner. Gordon's daughter then has her last name changed to Turner.
In 1923 Gordon remarries. Her name was Pearl Hart of Manistee, Michigan. Her father was George Arthur Hart. George was known locally as having joined the Civil War at age 16 and serving as Orderly Sargeant with George Armstrong Custer's 7th Michigan Cavalry. He had also been the mayor of Manistee.
Gordon now changed companies again and became manager of Walker & Company outdoor advertising. Tiring of the cold Michigan winters MacEdwards had been spending them in Florida. He soon decided to make it permanent and in 1926 joined the Fischkorn Florida Company to develop Dunedin Isles, Florida. He also became President of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.
We now have MacEdward in Dunedin per our story.
Gordon now changed companies again and became manager of Walker & Company outdoor advertising. Tiring of the cold Michigan winters MacEdwards had been spending them in Florida. He soon decided to make it permanent and in 1926 joined the Fischkorn Florida Company to develop Dunedin Isles, Florida. He also became President of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.
We now have MacEdward in Dunedin per our story.
SEWELL FORD
Sewell Ford, is best remembered for his "Torchy" and "Shorty McCabe" stories, was born on 7 March, 1868, at South Levant, Maine, the son of John F. and Susan "Lottie" Morrill Ford. Sewell spent much of his youth in Cheboygan, Michigan, where his father was the local postmaster. Later his family moved to Haverhill, Massachusetts, where his father worked as a procurement clerk and Sewell studied Latin for four years.
After abandoning an early ambition to be a smuggler, Sewell began his career as a newspaper reporter in Haverhill. Later he would go on to work as a reporter or editor on papers in Baltimore, Boston and New York. The last fifteen of his thirty-five year newspaper career was spent on the editorial staff of the American Press Association.
Sewell Ford, is best remembered for his "Torchy" and "Shorty McCabe" stories, was born on 7 March, 1868, at South Levant, Maine, the son of John F. and Susan "Lottie" Morrill Ford. Sewell spent much of his youth in Cheboygan, Michigan, where his father was the local postmaster. Later his family moved to Haverhill, Massachusetts, where his father worked as a procurement clerk and Sewell studied Latin for four years.
After abandoning an early ambition to be a smuggler, Sewell began his career as a newspaper reporter in Haverhill. Later he would go on to work as a reporter or editor on papers in Baltimore, Boston and New York. The last fifteen of his thirty-five year newspaper career was spent on the editorial staff of the American Press Association.
Sewell's first book "Horses Nine: stories of harness and saddle" was published in 1903 and was followed by "Truegate of Mogador, and other Cedarton Folks" and "Shorty McCabe" in 1906. Over the next sixteen years he would publish around twenty books, mostly "Torchy" and "Shorty McCabe" stories. These would also lead to a number of movie shorts. In 1926 Sewell was finishing writing his long running "Inez and Trilby May" series. He also had a winter home in Clearwater, Florida, on the south side of Dunedin. And he enjoyed playing golf.
Sewell's first book "Horses Nine: stories of harness and saddle" was published in 1903 and was followed by "Truegate of Mogador, and other Cedarton Folks" and "Shorty McCabe" in 1906. Over the next sixteen years he would publish around twenty books, mostly "Torchy" and "Shorty McCabe" stories. These would also lead to a number of movie shorts. In 1926 Sewell was finishing writing his long running "Inez and Trilby May" series. He also had a winter home in Clearwater, Florida, on the south side of Dunedin. And he enjoyed playing golf.
MacEdward's selling point for Dunedin was not just the great weather, it was also playing golf in great weather. The developer made sure they would have a great course to offer by having it designed by noted architect Donald Ross. The Dunedin Golf and Country Club opened on January 1, 1927. (It would become a PGA National Golf Club in 1944) Playing on opening day, according to newspaper articles, were Sewell Ford and Gordon MacEdward.
We now have proof of MacEdward and a famous short story writer (Sewell Ford) being there on the stated date of our story. Did they make a $500 bet to start a hobby of card collecting? Of that we have no proof. But, we do have, what they call, circumstantial evidence. Let's check that out.
In February 1930 Gordon is mentioned in a short lived national newspaper column called "Ol' Dan Tucker Sez, Sezee". It states that he already supposedly has the world's largest collection of playing cards in the world. And the collecting bug has started. Was it due to him?
In 1932 something went wrong in Dunedin and he leaves for a new job back in Detroit. He also sues Dunedin Isles, Inc. in Federal Court. At this time Gordon was their President. He would never return to Florida.
In 1933 Elton F Hascall, Detroit Rotary Club Secretary, mentions in a newspaper article that he saves Jokers for fellow Rotarian MacEdward when he goes on road trips. That same year several more people appear in newspapers across the country for their new playing card collections.
Increasing interest MacEdward writes an article in 1935 for Hobbies Magazine (Volume 40, Issue 3). It is entitled “Cards From A Collector’s Angle”.
In March 1938 Gordon appears on the national radio broadcast of "Hobby Lobby". This long running radio show allowed listeners everywhere to write in about their unusual hobbies so they could come on the radio and "lobby for their hobby." Many of the hobbies were actually people's professions like a female gorilla trainer, a scientist that made robots, and a beekeeper. The show's host was Dave Elman billed as "the dean of American hobbyist" as he collected information about strange and fantastic hobbies. Gordon spoke about his collection of 4,000 Ace of Spades.
That same year he and other new collectors he has met start forming the Playing Card Collectors Association (PCCA). The club will be headquartered in Milwaukee. Before the end of the year they have over 70 members. MacEdward's collection is now up to almost 13,000 cards.
Increasing interest MacEdward writes an article in 1935 for Hobbies Magazine (Volume 40, Issue 3). It is entitled “Cards From A Collector’s Angle”.
In March 1938 Gordon appears on the national radio broadcast of "Hobby Lobby". This long running radio show allowed listeners everywhere to write in about their unusual hobbies so they could come on the radio and "lobby for their hobby." Many of the hobbies were actually people's professions like a female gorilla trainer, a scientist that made robots, and a beekeeper. The show's host was Dave Elman billed as "the dean of American hobbyist" as he collected information about strange and fantastic hobbies. Gordon spoke about his collection of 4,000 Ace of Spades.
That same year he and other new collectors he has met start forming the Playing Card Collectors Association (PCCA). The club will be headquartered in Milwaukee. Before the end of the year they have over 70 members. MacEdward's collection is now up to almost 13,000 cards.
In 1940 Gordon is now President of Adcrafter. In the January issue of their company magazine, he writes an article called “The History of Playing Cards In The History of the Graphic Arts”. It will become a reference in “A Catalogue of the Cary Collection of Playing Cards, Vol. II”
BJARNE SCHEEL ROSING
Bjarne was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1871. At age 18 he would emigrate to America, arriving at Castle Garden Emigrant Landing Depot in New York aboard the SS Servia. Brothers and sisters would soon follow.
Bjarne was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1871. At age 18 he would emigrate to America, arriving at Castle Garden Emigrant Landing Depot in New York aboard the SS Servia. Brothers and sisters would soon follow.
S. S. Servia
Bjarne soon relocated to the northside Chicago Cabrini-Green neighborhood. At the time it was known as Little Sweden, where other Rosing families lived. It was here that he met his future wife, Ella Morse, from Manchester, Iowa. Ella worked in Chicago at the Elm Street Settlement House run by the Unity Church where she was the Superintendent. The area was known as “Little Hell”. Settlement houses, which reached their peak popularity in the early 20th century, were marked by a residential approach to social work: the social workers ("residents") would live in the settlement house, and thus be a part of the same communities as the people they served.
Soon Bjarne was working for A. O. Smith in Milwaukee. In 1899, during the earliest days of the automobile revolution, A. O. Smith developed a new, lightweight steel car frame. Within a few short years, they were selling these frames to a “who’s who” of car makers including Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Ford.
Soon Bjarne was working for A. O. Smith in Milwaukee. In 1899, during the earliest days of the automobile revolution, A. O. Smith developed a new, lightweight steel car frame. Within a few short years, they were selling these frames to a “who’s who” of car makers including Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Ford.
Bjarne, like his wife, was very socially conscious. In 1916 he helps A. O. Smith make a huge difference for their employees.
Motor Age Magazine- Volume 30, Issues 14-26 - Page 17
HEALTH INSURANCE FOR EMPLOYEES
Milwaukee, Wis. Dec 23rd
Manufacturers of motor cars and trucks and parts in Milwaukee and Wisconsin are watching with much interest the progress of the movement for compulsory health insurance, which is the outgrowth of the successful operation of the idea of workmen's compensation for accident and death. Wisconsin was among the first states to adopt industrial insurance and the coming legislature is expected to have compulsory health insurance as one of the principal subjects for consideration. Bjarne Rosing, superintendent of the A. O. Smith Co. of Milwaukee, has made an exhaustive study of the compulsory health insurance question reported to the round table conducted by the committee on safety and sanitation of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association that sickness causes seven times more loss of time to workingmen than accidents. A health survey of Milwaukee indicates that a total loss of $3,000,000 per annum accrues to workingmen by reason of illness in this city alone. The proposed health insurance act provides that the state bear one fifth and the employer and employe each two fifths of the expense of the system. The proposed law also provides that if the breadwinner of a family is sent to a hospital or sanitarium because of illness the family will receive 33 1/3 per cent of his wages for a period not to exceed 26 weeks in any 1 year.
Motor Age Magazine- Volume 30, Issues 14-26 - Page 17
HEALTH INSURANCE FOR EMPLOYEES
Milwaukee, Wis. Dec 23rd
Manufacturers of motor cars and trucks and parts in Milwaukee and Wisconsin are watching with much interest the progress of the movement for compulsory health insurance, which is the outgrowth of the successful operation of the idea of workmen's compensation for accident and death. Wisconsin was among the first states to adopt industrial insurance and the coming legislature is expected to have compulsory health insurance as one of the principal subjects for consideration. Bjarne Rosing, superintendent of the A. O. Smith Co. of Milwaukee, has made an exhaustive study of the compulsory health insurance question reported to the round table conducted by the committee on safety and sanitation of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association that sickness causes seven times more loss of time to workingmen than accidents. A health survey of Milwaukee indicates that a total loss of $3,000,000 per annum accrues to workingmen by reason of illness in this city alone. The proposed health insurance act provides that the state bear one fifth and the employer and employe each two fifths of the expense of the system. The proposed law also provides that if the breadwinner of a family is sent to a hospital or sanitarium because of illness the family will receive 33 1/3 per cent of his wages for a period not to exceed 26 weeks in any 1 year.
Rosing left A. O. Smith and then went to work for the Internal Revenue Department until 1937.
When Bjarne started his card collection is unknown. But, he did become one of the charter members of the new Playing Card Collector Association. As the group organized he placed this ad....
Avocations: A Magazine of Hobbies and Leisure
1939
Bjarne Scheel Rosing , 2835 North Frederick Ave. , Milwaukee , Wisc., is endeavoring to locate all collectors interested in collecting playing cards . Mr. Rosing has prepared a questionnaire which he will send without charge to all Playing Card collectors.
Unfortunately, Mr. Rosing did not get to see the fruit of his labor. Bjarne died June 7th shortly after placing the ad. But, his wife joined the group (Member #84) and was active until she passed away in 1956.
When Bjarne started his card collection is unknown. But, he did become one of the charter members of the new Playing Card Collector Association. As the group organized he placed this ad....
Avocations: A Magazine of Hobbies and Leisure
1939
Bjarne Scheel Rosing , 2835 North Frederick Ave. , Milwaukee , Wisc., is endeavoring to locate all collectors interested in collecting playing cards . Mr. Rosing has prepared a questionnaire which he will send without charge to all Playing Card collectors.
Unfortunately, Mr. Rosing did not get to see the fruit of his labor. Bjarne died June 7th shortly after placing the ad. But, his wife joined the group (Member #84) and was active until she passed away in 1956.
CLINNIE DILL PAVLICK
Clinnie Dodge Dill was born in 1893 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her father was in the printing business. Her mother died when Clinnie was only 6 years old.
She was a gifted musician and was playing the piano by ear at age four. During her early years she played music for local vaudeville shows, operas and in area orchestras. She then began teaching music at the Strassberger Music Conservatory in downtown St. Louis. In 1916 she married Herman E. A. Pavlick, a first generation Hungarian-American.
Clinnie Dodge Dill was born in 1893 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her father was in the printing business. Her mother died when Clinnie was only 6 years old.
She was a gifted musician and was playing the piano by ear at age four. During her early years she played music for local vaudeville shows, operas and in area orchestras. She then began teaching music at the Strassberger Music Conservatory in downtown St. Louis. In 1916 she married Herman E. A. Pavlick, a first generation Hungarian-American.
The Strassberger's Conservatory of Music
Clinnie was a collector of many things. She had collections of souvenir handkerchiefs, napkins, bus transfers, pencils, tape measures, bottle openers, matchbooks and menus to name a few things. Here husband supported her and continually built shelves to display her collections.
And of course she collected playing cards. In a 1967 newspaper interview about her hobbies she said she now had over 46,000 one of a kind playing cards. She was one of the first to answer Bjarne Rosing's ad, and became a charter member of the PCCA. She would later serve as their President for four years. After the Chicago Playing Card Collectors Club started in 1951 she also became very active in that group.
FRANCIS BALLARD STERLING
Francis's early life is almost as mysterious as his later life. He was born in 1885 in California (Probably San Francisco). By the early 1900s he is living in Chicago. His life in-between is up for conjecture. When he registers for the draft during World War I his day job is working as a Steamfitter. But, his night job is performing as Mahat S. Mahendra the psychic from Delhi, India. He specialized in mentalism and sometimes billed himself as "The Mystic" or "Doc" Mahendra. He spent his early performing years in Chicago, when not on the road, and joined the Chicago Conjurers' Club in 1919 when it started.
In 1921 he also co-wrote a book with Hugh Roger Johnston, the organizer of the Chicago Conjurers' Club, titled "Modern Card Miracles". The book is based on card tricks popularized by the magician Si Stebbins (real name William Henry Coffrin), and can be constructed from a standard 52-card deck. Frequently used in card magic, its properties allow the position and value of each card in a deck to be determined.
He was an active member of the IBM (The International Brotherhood of Magicians) and wrote a column for "The Linking Ring" magazine. He appeared on the cover in October, 1940.
Besides writing a number of articles he also wrote the books;
He Can't Read My Mind (1937)
Amazing Card Miracles (1938)
Crystal Gazing Act (1940)
"Doc" was also known as an excellent cook which would explain his day job in the 1930 Illinois Federal census; "Cook in Sandwich Shop"
Somehow Francis knew Bjarne Rosing and became a charter member of the PCCA in 1939. He also became president of the Playing Card Collectors Association and owned over 8,000 different playing cards at that time.
By 1940 he left Chicago and made his home in San Antonio, Texas, retiring there in 1946. In 1951 he and his wife opened a popular nutritional store there. He passed away in 1970 at age 85.
His assistant was his wife, Ann Lundh. She had started as an "Oriental " dancer in his act in 1920 at age 16. (They married the next year. He was 46.) She was later his bookkeeper/manager and performed in the shows occasionally. One trick she performed was having a 300 pound rock smashed on her chest while she was stretched between two chairs. After a fall, she injured her hip and pinched an intestine and was in pain for 18 years until a lady got her into eating carrots and healthy foods. From then on she was pain free and a believer in this lifestyle. That lead to the opening of the store. At age 68 she could do 2,000 push ups in 3 hours.
Somehow Francis knew Bjarne Rosing and became a charter member of the PCCA in 1939. He also became president of the Playing Card Collectors Association and owned over 8,000 different playing cards at that time.
By 1940 he left Chicago and made his home in San Antonio, Texas, retiring there in 1946. In 1951 he and his wife opened a popular nutritional store there. He passed away in 1970 at age 85.
His assistant was his wife, Ann Lundh. She had started as an "Oriental " dancer in his act in 1920 at age 16. (They married the next year. He was 46.) She was later his bookkeeper/manager and performed in the shows occasionally. One trick she performed was having a 300 pound rock smashed on her chest while she was stretched between two chairs. After a fall, she injured her hip and pinched an intestine and was in pain for 18 years until a lady got her into eating carrots and healthy foods. From then on she was pain free and a believer in this lifestyle. That lead to the opening of the store. At age 68 she could do 2,000 push ups in 3 hours.
HENRY BRUCE SPENCER
H. Bruce Spencer was born in 1880 in Clinton, Iowa. His father was a druggist and the family would later move to Racine, Wisconsin. Henry would sometimes help his father in the trade, but moved on to Chicago by 1900 and soon married. He became an Insurance Broker for his entire working career. He and a brother that became a druggist also owned the Foster Street Pharmacy at he corner of Maple avenue and Foster street in Evanston. It is now covered by Northwestern University housing.
When Henry became a charter member of the PCCA he was the secretary-treasurer. His collection at the time held 15,000 singles and 1,200 decks.
Mr. Spencer would also become the guiding inspiration for the formation of the Chicago Playing Card Collectors Club in 1951.
DID MacEDWARD WIN?
Did Gordon K MacEdwards actually win the bet? If there actually was a bet, he stood a good chance of proving he could claim the money. Especially after this statement I found in a 1941 Chicago newspaper article. It was named "Another Card Game - Collecting!" Most of the article is with H. Bruce Spencer. But, the writer did some research on his own with playing card manufacturers and writes "Manufacturers of cards say that the children's hobby first came to their attention about 10 or 12 years ago, when they began receiving letters requesting samples of cards." That time period would be 1929-31 just within the 5 year time limit of the wager. Even the 1930 newspaper article mentioned earlier stated the hobby had already begun.
Within 3 years of their beginning the PCCA had regional chairmen in 10 states and 5 foreign countries. Unfortunately, this pioneering club would fade away in the 1990s after spawning other card collecting groups.
Did Gordon K MacEdwards actually win the bet? If there actually was a bet, he stood a good chance of proving he could claim the money. Especially after this statement I found in a 1941 Chicago newspaper article. It was named "Another Card Game - Collecting!" Most of the article is with H. Bruce Spencer. But, the writer did some research on his own with playing card manufacturers and writes "Manufacturers of cards say that the children's hobby first came to their attention about 10 or 12 years ago, when they began receiving letters requesting samples of cards." That time period would be 1929-31 just within the 5 year time limit of the wager. Even the 1930 newspaper article mentioned earlier stated the hobby had already begun.
Within 3 years of their beginning the PCCA had regional chairmen in 10 states and 5 foreign countries. Unfortunately, this pioneering club would fade away in the 1990s after spawning other card collecting groups.
Gordon died in 1966. None of his obituaries mention his contribution to playing card collecting.