1883 Murphy Varnish Transformation Original Playing Cards Deck on Sale

1883 Murphy Varnish Transformation Original Playing Cards Deck

 The Original Release: This deck is done as closely to the original 2 piece box as we can do it. The back of the box is blank, there is a stamp on the inside of the box that is individually numbered and a number stamp seal on the back of the deck as well. 

-Vintage Tuck Box 

-2 stamp numbered seals 

-Limited to only 883 

-Linoid Finish 

-Bee Stock 

-Please note: metal certificate of authenticity are not included, those were only available to original kick starter backers. 

The Murphy Varnish Transformation Playing Cards were originally printed in 1883 by Andrew Dougherty. It was an advertising deck for the Murphy Varnish company from Newark New Jersey. The Murphy Varnish company was founded in 1865 by Franklin Murphy, the former Governor of New Jersey.   

In a transformation deck there are unique pictures on each card intertwined with the pips, Clubs, Diamonds, Spades, & Hearts. As an advertising deck it depicts comical pictures of varnish salesmen, people worshiping cans of varnish and all of the good uses for the Murphy Varnish.   

In the Hochman Encyclopedia of Playing Cards it is listed as both a transformation deck and as an advertising deck. The deck is so popular it is actually on the cover of the Hochman encyclopedia of American Playing Cards.

Last two pictures compare the originals to the resorted version.