Does anyone still make these cartoon like card sets ?
I want new cards, I can't afford antiques.
Doc did not give much information about these cards in his School for Spandrels' book. They could have simply been three random cards a grifter took from a children's game.

Doc?, I meant Pop.

The monte cards in the 1840's were printed with a drawing of an old woman, a boy running with a hoop (the Baby), and a businessman. The sucker was urged to "find the baby." I wonder if these were really playing cards at all, but might have been some kind of post card or advertisement. They called them "tickets." I have seen no samples or images of these original cards.

I have thought about having some designed for reenactment.

Thank you Pop.
When did people begin to Chase the Ace and find the Lady.

Early 18th Century, probably in France. Take down games came into Europe during the picaresque period of Spain as gold flowed into it from its colonies.

Playing cards were relatively expensive, and it may be that what the riverboat gamblers were using were Trade Cards--advertising cards bigger than business cards, and smaller than postcards. These were used to advertise products like tobacco, flour, or patent medicine. They were colorful, and free in stores and railroad terminals. I suspect they grabbed any three different cards for the game.

President Grant said he wouldn't trust members of his cabinet in a room with a hot stove.