First introduced in 1883, Steamboat 999 playing cards were the first new brandadded to the Russell & Morgan stable of playing cards.

With all other major card manufacturers have a Steamboat band Russell & Morgan responded to market pressures and jumped into the mix. Steamboats were of low quality and thus sold for the least amount of money, as little as 5 cents per pack.

Russell, Morgan & Co. formed in 1867 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Early in 1880 the company embarked on a new market - playing cards. Their very first deck of cards was produced  in June of 1881. That year the company produced a total of  five brands; Army #303, Congress #404, Navy #303, Sportsman's #202 and Tiger's #101. Other brands followed such as the Steamboat #999 and the Bicycle #808.

In 1891 the company's  name changed to The United States Printing Co. and in 1894 yet another name change. This time the name became United States Playing Card Company.

To help date your Steamboats #999 look to the Ace of Spades:

1881/1885 - the Ace reads, "Russell , Morgan & Co." or "Russell Morgan & Co."
1886/1891 - the Ace reads, "Russell & Morgan Printing Co."
1891/1894 - the Ace reads, "The United States Printing Co."
1894/1925 - the Ace reads, "The United States Playing Card Co." or  "U.S. Playing Card  Co., Russell & Morgan Factories".
1926/2009 - the Ace reads, "The United States Playing Card Co."