The 1001 Aladdin playing cards was introduced by Samuel J. Murray's National Card Co. of Indianapolis in the mid-1880s, and absorbed into the United States Playing Card Company in 1894. As American demand faded, the brand survived by export, carried to the humid markets of Asia, where its un-embossed smooth finish resisted heat and moisture and became a quiet staple in Singapore and beyond. The finish was a practical choice, made for durability rather than handling; the side effect was an unusually slick deck that cut cleanly, and decades later cardists adopted the deck for exactly that.
Anyone has worked with The United States Playing Card Company on an edition of the Aladdin 1001. The ink is specified for handling, giving a smoother surface and a distinct feel in the hand, and the cards are printed on Thin Crushed stock pressed at higher intensity for a slimmer profile.
Available June 24