The first playing cards in America were imported from England and Europe.   Card making began here only after the Revolutionary War.   The first U.S. manufacturers, not surprisingly, were in the industrialized East.

After the Civil War, many new innovations were introduced into the making of cards, and new companies arose.   Among these were several firms belonging to the Longley Brothers, who worked in and around Cincinnati.   One of their rarest decks commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Revolution.

The Longleys faced competition from Russell and Morgan, Cincinnati printers of posters and lables.   In 1881, the partners expanded their operation to include playing cards.   This operation became so profitable that Russell and Morgan were able to absorb some of their competitors.