Long Live the King!
Part 1 of 43
Most of us are familiar with the Bicycle King. It is the North American equivalent to the Belgium Sower/sprinkler and has many variations. In this series we look at the variations that are available and see how this joker has evolved over the years. Some of these differences are easy to see but others are more challenging and subtle. We may also look at the spin offs and perhaps the fakes you should avoid. It’s by no means a definitive guide but it will help to illustrate the diversity of this iconic joker.
Please note, a shadow setting has been used in reproducing these images. This is to enhance the display and make it more appealing.
This may be a good time to check your own Bicycle Kings.
Long Live the King!
Part 2 of 43
Initially, these jokers may look the same but what you are actually seeing are 8 variations. The stars on No 7 are the first give-away. How about those serial numbers at the bottom of those jokers? Then there’s the heavy and light print versions of 1 and 2. Have you noticed the top of the J’s? There are 2 possibly 3 finishes. How about the curved tail on the R’s? There are 2 definite versions here. No 6 has the only ® registered trade mark. Unlike modern Bicycle Kings these are all narrow (whist) as opposed to casino (wide) sized cards. Look at the mile stones, seven of these are 86’s (not 808) the remaining one is 275. The more you enlarge these images the clearer the differences become.
One can reasonably assume that each of these changes were a conscious and calculated decision and were somehow noted in the company records. If these records were ever made available, we would be able to date our jokers more accurately.
Long Live the King!
Part 3 of 43
Long Live the King!
Part 5 of 43
Here we have the more common, casino size 808’s. Once again, they all look very similar at first glance. Aside from the heavy and light print versions seen in 7 and 8 you have an assortment of serial/codes at the bottom of each card. Some collectors view these as differences while others don’t. The real differences here occur with the typeface lettering. There are 3 different J’s and at least 2 Rs. Can you see how the tail of the R on No 1 is curled round more? That’s not all take a closer at the O in No 3, it’s an odd shape and different from the reast. How about the spade like pips around the king’s shoulder, visually different eh? Intentional or otherwise? It’s for you the collector to decide. The more you enlarge these images the clearer the differences become.
One can reasonably assume that each and every one of these changes would have been a conscious and calculated decision and that these were somehow noted in the company records. If these records were ever made available, we would be able to date these jokers more accurately.
Long Live the King!
Part 4 of 43
Here, at No 1, we have our first spin-off Bicycle King, thought to be of Chinese origin. This is not a true king, as the US indices on the upper left and bottom right are at odds with the other four jokers. It’s also missing the spade pips from the king’s shoulder. No’s 2 and 3 are missing a number on the milage stone and one of these has the ® registered trade mark. No 4 doesn’t look that special but it is unique, in that it was made for NASA the North American Space Agency and was manufactured using fire retardant properties. The bottom two are also heavy and light printed versions 808’s. No 5 is an 808 plus has a ® registered trade mark just above the milage stone. The more you enlarge these images the more obvious these differences become.
Long Live the King!
Part 6 of 43
Five kings, all different! This time we have the introduction of not one but two ® registered trademarks! The second ® being barely visible to the naked eye. In fact, many collectors may have missed this minute but important detail. No’s 1 and 3 have two ®’s one being between the back wheel and the milestone the other very close to the 808 on the milestone. Yes, a minute difference but a definite variation. When these are enlarged, they become a more obvious and visible. That’s not all!! If you look very carefully that small ® comes in two sizes. Also, the position of bigger ® on No 2 appears to be in a different place when it’s compared to the others. No 4 has a different typeface and much larger text. Number 5 is an 809 instead of 808. Again, the more you enlarge these images the clearer and more obvious the differences become
Long Live the King!
Part 7 of 43
Same design but different ink colour variations. But wait, that’s not all! Have you noticed No 5? It’s a bigger King!
One can reasonably assume that each and every one of these changes would have been a conscious and calculated decision. Which would have been recorded at factory level. That if these records were ever to become available, we would be able to date these jokers more accurately.
Same design but different colour variations. Can you spot the one which has 2 ® registered trademarks? You will need a good pair of eyes. The more you enlarge these images the clearer and more obvious the differences become
Long Live the King!
Part 8 of 43
Each and everyone different! No 1 faded print effect. No 2 both the big and smaller ® registered trademarks. 3 has corner patterns. 4 and 5 different inks used. Both have the bigger ® together with MD text. No 6 small text initials TM used. The more you enlarge these images the clearer and more obvious the differences become
Long Live the King!
Part 9 of 43
All casino size Bicycle Kings, with black star indices. 1 and 2, heavy and light print versions. 2, 3 and 4, star size differences. 4 one ® registered trademark. No 5 weathered effect (to make it look old) and two ® registered trademarks. 6 smaller image and bigger stars, it’s also an 88. The more you enlarge these images the clearer and more obvious the differences become
One can reasonably assume that each and every one of these changes would have been a conscious and calculated decision. Which would have been recorded at factory level. That if these records were ever to become available, we would be able to date these jokers more accurately.
Long Live the King!
Part 10 of 43
The next four post in this series are all Guarantee jokers. We start with No’s 1 and 2 which are not authentic Bicycle Kings and are thought to be Chinese spin offs. The US indices in the upper left and lower right are the give-away. See how different they are from the others? Both have the same wording but No 1 uses different and bigger typeface in the word Guarantee. No 1 and 2 also have different J’s and O’s very noticeable when enlarged. One is much bolder than the other. No 3 has an 808 on the milestone and part of the Guarantee wording is missing. Both 4 and 5 are narrow (whist) size cards and are 86’s. The image and text are very different from each other. The more you enlarge these images the clearer and more obvious the differences become.
Long Live the King!
Part 11 of 43
More Guarantee’s, all 808’s casino wides. Look the same? Look again. These are all different variations. The more you enlarge these images the clearer and more obvious the differences become. 1 and 2 have different size typeface in the zip codes numbers. 2 and 3 are light and heavy print versions. 4 and 5 have different Guarantee wording and variations of address.
One can reasonably assume that each and every one of these changes would have been a conscious and calculated decision. Which would have been recorded at factory level. That if these records were ever to become available, we would be able to date these jokers more accurately.
Long Live the King!
Part 12 of 43
We continue with the Guarantee’s. You will notice wording is different from the previous guarantees. No 1 has two ®’s registered trademarks although you’ll need a good pair of eyes to see the second, as it’s on the milestone. It also has the Gap Way address. 2 has the Beech Street address and 3 the Gap Way but with only one ® registered trademark. 4 and 5 need no explanation. The more you enlarge these images the clearer and more obvious the differences become
Long Live the King!
Part 14 of 43
Here we have four 808’s and an 86. All these King Guarantees are different in some way. The first is a text variation to the other four. The Guarantee address is in much smaller type. It’s also a heavy print version. No 2 is an unusual Christmas themed, Bicycle King. No 3 is an 86 and a narrow (whist size) card. No’s 4 and 5 are interesting, in that they both have a © copyrights symbols as opposed to the ®’s Registered trademarks, a collector could easily miss these. That’s not all! Have you noticed No 5 both the text and image have been printed lower down on the card, so the address reaches the bottom of the card? Manufacturers variation or printing error, it really is for the collector to decide. Enlarging these images makes the differences clearer and more obvious.
Long Live the King!
Part 15 of 43
These Kings need very little explanation, as they are all unusual sizes. The red cut out shape in the left-hand corner of the biggest king, would be the actual size of a traditional casino (wide) card in relation to the others.
Long Live the King!
Part 16 of 43
These large bold US indices stand out proud on these 88’s not to be confused with the 808’s we looked at earlier. We start with No 1 which has a variation of Guarantee wording. A smaller typeface is also used on the address and a larger 88 appears to be used on the milestone. 2 uses a larger typeface for the word Guarantee and a different description for the guarantee itself. It also uses a larger typeface for the address. No 3 has a variation of the address with no zip code. 4, 5 and 6 have more descriptive wording and either incorporate the © copyright or ® registered trademark symbols. There are also variations of the address. As with many of these differences, enlarging these images will make them more obvious.
Long Live the King!
Part 17 of 43
Big bold and proud US indices, smaller Bicycle Kings images. No 1 obscured milestone with the larger ® registered trademark above. No 2 no marker on milestone. An 88 on No 3 with factory code beneath. No 4 is the only colour version in this group. Both 4 and 5 have the large and tiny ® registered trademarks. Note the different position of larger ®. Manufacturers variation or printing error, it really is for the collector to decide. Enlarging these images makes the differences clear and more obvious.
Long Live the King!
Part 18 of 43
Big bold and beautiful US Indices and all 88’s. Top 1, 2, and 3 casino (wide) size. All very different in appearance. Please note that 2 and 3 have braille indents, made for those visually impaired. Sometimes overlooked or not deemed as a variation by some collectors. The two lower Bicycle Kings are a special size
Long Live the King!
Part 19 of 43
All very obvious variations
Long Live the King!
Part 20 of 43
All very obvious variations. Can you spot the one with two registered trademarks?
Long Live the King!
Part 21 of 43
Long Live the King!
Part 22 of 43
Long Live the King!
Part 23 of 43
No's 2 and 3 variations or factory errors? Collectors sometimes have to make decisions on weather a colour or shade difference is a variation.
Look the same? Look again. Is the shade of red darker on 1 then it is on 2? How about the yellow? Is this intentional or a factory error? It really is for the individual collector to decide. Can you spot the variation between 2 and 3? Yes, it’s that tiny ® registered trademark again. Almost invisible to the naked eye. How about the difference between 1 and 4? Yes, you have it, our old friend the tiny ® again. How about 3 and 4? Look closely at the pantaloons (trousers) do you not see different colours? Enlarging these images makes the differences clear and more obvious.
Long Live the King!
Part 24 of 43
Colourful but different. But wait! Aren’t 1 and 2 the same? Shade variations matter to some collectors. How about the Kings pantaloons (trousers) would you say they are the same? Have you noticed the second ® on the milestone? 3,4,5 and 6 need no explanation.
Long Live the King!
Part 25 of 43
All very different and obvious variations. Even so, it’s worth remembering the discreet or minute/tiny second ® on the milestone.
Long Live the King!
Part 26 of 43
Long Live the King!
Part 27 of 43
All very colourful and intentional variations
Long Live the King!
Part 28 of 43
All very different and obvious variations.
Long Live the King!
Part 29 of 43
Long Live the King!
Part 30 of 43
Lovely bicycle Kings!
Long Live the King!
Part 31 of 43
Long Live the King!
Part 32 of 43
Long Live the King!
Part 33 of 43
Very different and obvious variations.
Long Live the King!
Part 34 of 43
Continuing with the Bicycle King theme. These are modern versions and adaptions, featuring the King or his bike. All authentic and printed by USPC Co, the home of the original Bicycle Kings.
Long Live the King!
Part 35 of 43
Continuing with the Bicycle King theme. These are modern versions and adaptions, feature either the King or his bike. Four of these bikes are authentic USPC Co playing cards. The pink Harmonic one is of unknown origin.
The jury is out on these. They were donated to this collection by the late Van Jones an archivist at the Cincinnati Playing card Museum. Simply by association and co incidence, it was thought there may have been a link with the home of the true Bicycle Kings. However some collectors have thrown some doubts on this.
Long Live the King!
Part 37 of 43
Continuing with the Bicycle King theme. These are modern versions and adaptions and feature either the King or his bike. Unlike previous parts of this series, none of these are thought to be authentic USPC Co. stock. 1 and 3 are from a cardistry deck. The Qunme is an extra card (not a joker) included because of the image association. 4 is thought to be of Chinese origin and 5 is almost certainly North American by an unknown maker.
Long Live the King!
Part 38 of 43
Long Live the King!
Part 39 of 43
All Chinese (Temu) Bicycle Kings spin-offs
Long Live the King!
Part 40 of 43
All Chinese (Temu) Bicycle Kings spin-offs
Long Live the King!
Part 41 of 43
Top three are the first fakes in this serries and should be avoided at all cost. They were printed to order by the American company called the House of Chuckles, using USPC Co card stock, with Ryder backs. They no longer produce these cards but beware, many are in circulation within our community. The bottom three are authentic Bicycle Kings.
Long Live the King!
Part 42 of 43
More Chinese (Temu) Kings. 100% fake and should be avoided ay all cost. They are noticeable by their heavy use of ink, their odd designs and card quality.
Long Live the King!
Part 43 of 43
Yes, former US president Joe Bidden and currant president Ronald Trump feature in this line up. More fakes from the House of Chuckles, which are no longer available and should be avoided at all cost.
Continuing with the Bicycle King influence. The top 3 are of unknown origins. The bottom 2 Chinese spin-offs.
All very different and obvious variations, with the exception of 2 and 5. Do you consider the pinks to be the same or a variation? Sometimes collectors have to make these decisions.
All very different and obvious variations. Even so, it’s worth remembering the discreet or minute/tiny second ® on the milestone.
All authentic Bicycle Kings!
With the exception of No 2. All Bicycle King alternatives
Very different and obvious variations. Difference between 1 and 3 is light and heavy print versions.