The machines were blazing. A cloud of steam filled the air. And then - as if by magic - one product emerged from the assembly line: Hudson Playing Cards.

Forged on the bank of the Hudson River in New York, Hudson Playing Cards were inspired by a historic factory dating back to 1856. It was the pinnacle of playing card quality.

With unrivaled quality, snap, feel, and finish, Hudson Playing Cards were the gold standard for poker players and family games alike. Thousands of decks once crossed this mythical assembly line - and then, as quickly as it emerged, it vanished in 1871 with the rise of the New York Consolidated Card Company.

A legend lost to history - until today. theory11 proudly reimagines Hudson Playing Cards, with an all-new deck designed and manufactured in the USA with relentless attention to detail.

The design is breathtaking, intricate, detailed, and timeless - with a custom Ace of Spades, Joker, back design, and tuck case packaging.

Illustrated by hand in South Africa, Artisans are in a league of their own. A breathtaking mix of elegance, style, and sophistication. The design is breathtaking, featuring elegant gold foil hot stamped onto ultra-lux white paper derived from sustainable forests. Pure, clean, and beautiful. "The combination of gold foil and white embossing is extraordinary." Artisans are featured in the May 2013 issue of Departures Magazine. David Copperfield called them "the best playing cards ever produced." With this new White Edition, we unveil a perfect complement to the original Black Edition. Artisan Playing Cards are produced at The United States Playing Card Company using FSC-certified papers derived from sustainable forests, vegetable-based inks and starch-based laminates. The result is a durable finish that respects the environment. Sealed with a red tax-stamp sticker seal marked with the month and year of print.