WINDOWS\Jim\3-2000

Monthly Feature March 2000 White Rose Playing Cards Canadian Oil Companies Limited understood the benefits that a good advertising campaign could produce. A favourite give-away was based on playing cards and games. This months "Feature" will concentrate on card related items in my collection.

The "En-Ar-Co Contract (Bridge) Calculator" was available in white or yellow. I have a 1936 En-ar-co Booklet offering this promotion. They were free , upon receipt of a 3 cent stamp to cover postage and handling. "Vest pocket size , 2 3/4 x 5 inches".

Two complete Auction Bridge Score Pads , given out in the twenties and an example of a individual sheet. February 1926 is the first mention I have found of these . I can date the blue one from the August 1931 "En-ar-co Booster" dealer newsletter. The latest mention I have found is mid to late thirties. These were given out as a promotion involving oil sales. With every 50 gallons of oil in lithographed tins, ordered by dealers , they were sent 24 score pads while 24 letters were sent to customers of the dealers choice , advising them to call at said dealer's location for their free gift. The 1926 score pads held 24 sheets , each with a Boy and Slate and a timely epigram. By 1929 pads had increased to 30 perforated sheets , "bound in a beautiful and attractive cover giving it a book appearance " . In 1931 & 32 they dropped to only 12 sheets but by 1934 had returned to 30 sheets per pad .

I have two decks of White Rose Playing Cards given out by Canadian Oil Companies Limited. While one deck is red and the other blue they are very similar. However the boxes are different, leading me to believe they were printed at different times. They both use a wedge shaped logo dating them after 1953. I have been told that decks of cards were given to ships captains at the marine terminals for use during the long voyages on the great lakes tankers. Further proof of this may be seen on one box, which is embossed in gold letters that read: "FAST BUNKERING SERVICES SARNIA and PORT COLBOURNE" (which were Ontario marine terminals). I would like to take this opportunity to thank the friend in Edmonton who anonymously sent me the blue deck for Christmas....signed "Santa" Thanks " dg " These are the only two decks I have seen...are you aware of others ?

While this is not actually a playing card , it is a card-style coupon given out at a White Rose Service Station with each $2.00 purchase of Gasoline , Oil , Lubrication , or Car Washing. "When you have saved 25 coupons we will exchange them for one pack of Remembrance Quality Redi-Slip Finish Playing Cards ....each pack has two jokers for CANASTA . " I am not sure if this was a individual or 'company' sponsored promotion.

Although I have not seen one, I understand there were also very nice hardwood Cribbage boards given out to Ships Captains and / or First Mates. Again these carried the wedge logo and " White Rose Bunkering Services, Sarnia and Port Colbourne "

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