General Antiques and Collectibles Spring Auction
Lot 157:
Description
C-17757
1906; Brown Shoe Company – St. Louis, MO Complete deck of Buster Brown advertising playing cards (missing one Joker) featuring comic-strip style illustrations across all suits, with characters from Richard F. Outcault’s famous series. Each card carries witty captions and scenes, blending humor with early 20th-century advertising charm. Includes the original leather snap case. The Brown Shoe Company, founded in St. Louis in 1878, adopted Buster Brown and his dog Tige as their mascots in 1904, becoming one of the most successful advertising campaigns of the era. Promotional decks such as this were widely distributed to reinforce brand recognition, and today they survive as highly sought-after cross-collectibles bridging toys, advertising, and card history.
Condition shows light edge wear, mild discoloration, and handling marks consistent with age. Deck is missing one Joker; all other cards present. Leather case shows wear but retains working snap.
3.5" L x 2.25" W
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