definetely a card press .1900s cards fit uprite .& are squeezed together to fight another day .as for old cards ,look like repos?? value id say $125-$450 would go good with a faro layout .a lot of them came from europe .does it have a name like mason & co. should hold 6 decks cards dovetail joints cloth bottom ,brass clamps by looking at it it should hold a faro dealing box ,should also have 5or 6 spacers ,great find ,just dont give it away ,needs to go in potter & potter auction & youll get good money for it ,but me id keep it ,real rare ,jerry ps they sold new in the old days for $10.