A reader recently sent me the link to a site where I could purchase Black Hudson Playing Cards.
The copy touting these premium playing cards reads:
Forged on the bank of the Hudson River in New York, Hudson Playing Cards were inspired by a historic factory dating back to 1856. It was the pinnacle of playing card quality.
With unrivaled quality, snap, feel, and finish, Hudson Playing Cards were the gold standard for poker players and family games alike. Thousands of decks once crossed this mythical assembly line--and then, as quickly as it emerged, it vanished in 1871 with the rise of the New York Consolidated Card Company.
It's tempting to believe that Hudson, with its history of brothels and taverns and gambling, was the location of this legendary playing card company, but, alas, a search of Hudson city directories between 1856 and 1871 yields no evidence that there ever was a playing card factory in our little city. So, we must conclude that the historic factory was on the bank of the Hudson River in New York City.
An interesting footnote, for those interested in such things: New York Consolidated Card Company was founded by Lewis Cohen, who revolutionized the playing card industry by inventing a four-color printing machine, which allowed four colors to print on one sheet in one impression and no doubt brought an end to playing cards printed only in black.
The KEM Playing Card Company had a mani factory for many years on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie, across from Marist College. Closed about a decade ago. Could be them.
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