Racer No. 2
Introduced in 1906. Discontinued in 1970, but was released again in the 1980’s or 90’s as a regular issue, and as a pinochle deck (see the second image, below). Racer No. 2 is a common deck in red and blue and has been a mainstay of many a poker game over the years. While original […]
Racer No. 1
Introduced in 1895. Discontinued in 1906. I question this end date, as the deck would be found in the US8d edition if it had lasted that long, and I have yet to see a Racer No. 1 in that iteration. 1898 is a more likely end date as the only examples I have ever seen […]
Pneumatic No. 2
Introduced in 1908. Discontinued in 1939. A considerably longer run than its predecessor, Pneumatic No. 1, but much harder to find. Singles are not uncommon, but complete decks are scarce. One of the simplest designs USPC issued while still representing the bicycle theme.
Pneumatic No. 1
Introduced in 1894. Discontinued in 1908. A very pleasant design that strives for symmetry in its outer regions but relinquishes all hope in the central motif. Not rare by any means, but certainly uncommon in an original box, and especially paired with its joker. Some, but not all, Pneumatic No. 1 decks were issued with […]
Pedal
Introduced in 1899. Discontinued in 1917. Pedal is a whimsical back design that joins Chain, (Chainless), Handlebar, Lantern, Saddle, and Sprocket in celebrating one small part of the common bicycle. Note the tiny pedals that serve as a border design, and the four pedals drawn in perspective in the center. Altogether a very pleasing design. […]
Old Fan
Introduced in 1885, and said to be the first back issued under the new Bicycle brand of the Russell and Morgan Printing Company (needs verification). Discontinued in 1894. Relatively easy to find in red or blue, even in its earliest variants. Green and brown decks are rare, but not impossible to find. Singles in all […]
New Fan
Introduced in 1891 (revised from 1894). Discontinued in 1980 — a very long run for an elegant, decorative back design. Over the years, New Fan has undergone some subtle revisions to the design, as can be seen in the first image, below. Thanks to Steve Bowling for noting the evolution of the New Fan design. […]
Nautic
Introduced in 1919. Discontinued in 1943. Like some other decks of this era, Nautic decks are surprisingly difficult to find complete in an original box. Pictured in the first image, below, is a beautiful joker issued with the U.S. Playing Card Company’s Army and Navy deck (described and pictured on page 85 of the Hochman […]
Motorette No. 2
Introduced in 1907. Discontinued in 1917. Not a rare back design, but certainly uncommon. Also available in the United Kingdom (for more information, click on “UK” above). The original Motorette was not a “one-way” design, as many earlier Bicycle backs were, but the design of Motorette No. 2 provided a more modern and graphic update […]
Motorette No. 1
Introduced in 1901. Discontinued in 1907. Decks and singles show up from time to time, but original boxes are very scarce. Anecdotally, red decks are harder to find than blue. Note that both of the singles shown above have small holes in the center of the top and bottom ends. This is because the cards […]