Quoted from Dondorf "Hundertjahrkarte" playing cards restoration kickstarter page.

The restoration of the deck was masterfully crafted in Greece by Lotrek of Oath Playing Cards based on very hi-res scans of the originals and also on Weddingtons' reprint of the deck in 1975 under the name "Royal Gothic".

We stayed as true as possible to the original cards printed in 1933, but we changed the format from 6cm × 9,2cm to the modern poker size (6,3cm x 8,8 cm). The original deck had two identical Jokers. We're slightly changing the second Joker in the "Player's" deck to make it match modern playing requirements. The "Restoration" deck will have identical jokers, exactly like the original.

We have tried to compromise nothing at all in our restoration. Even the small insert in German like the original 1933 edition is included. Inside the dual tuck box, you will find this as well as a gold brocade "index" type divider used in this case to assist with the raising and removing the decks. Only the 3D buckle is rather impossible to reproduce exactly, so it will have to be embossed gold foil. We did translate the booklet to Anglicize it, also included.

A bit of History:

In 1833 Bernhard Dondorf opened his lithographic printing business in Frankfurt am Main. Always on the lookout for innovations in the graphic arts industry, Herr Dondorf began focusing on playing cards and eventually his business became the synonym for fine and luxurious playing cards.

In 1933 Dondorf GmbH was celebrating 100 years of history. For their centennial jubilee, they printed the "Dondorf Hundertjahrkarte" deck to give to attendees of the 100th anniversary celebration of the company. Ironically, at this time the Dondorf business was in the process of being taken over by Flemming & Wiskott. Designed and produced during difficult economic circumstances, these decks was quite an achievement for the time and particularly expensive to print. They were made utilizing chromolithography and they required 28 stones (the era's equivalent to modern printing plates). 12 color stones were used for the backs and 16 for the faces. At that time, "Dondorf Hundertjahrkarte" deck was the most elaborate deck ever created.

The original decks were given to customers attending the Jubilee in 1933, so they have never been available for retail sale. The cards measured 6.2cm X 9cm -similar to modern bridge size. They had metallic gold accents both on the faces and the back. The mood inspired by the Middle Ages was serious and heroic, intending to suggest the power and virtue of the German character. The courts' artwork was extremely detailed, obviously executed by a true master:

We are excited to offer this exclusive poker deck that we recently completed for the New York based company, Hyde Park Mouldings, one of the premier architectural moulding companies in the world. Working closely with the owner, David Nassim, we were able to bring the artwork of his skilled craftsman, Vincent Kallenbaum, together with our playing card design sensibility to create one unique and handsome deck.

• Hyde Park Dark / print run of 2500 decks / only 250 available to the public
• 52 playing cards / 2 jokers all with original artwork by Hyde Park Craftsman, Vincent Kallenbaum
• 2 ad cards that form a diptych
• sculpted emboss design on luxurious tuck box stock
• gold foil detail on tuck
• first edition custom seal
• bicycle playing card stock with air cushion (linen) finish
• printed by the United States Playing Card Company
• made in the USA

We are excited to offer this exclusive poker deck that we recently completed for the New York based company, Hyde Park Mouldings, one of the premier architectural moulding companies in the world. Working closely with the owner, David Nassim, we were able to bring the artwork of his skilled craftsman, Vincent Kallenbaum, together with our playing card design sensibility to create one unique and handsome deck. Hyde Park Light / print run of 2500 decks / only 250 available to the public 52 playing cards / 2 jokers all with original artwork by Hyde Park Craftsman, Vincent Kallenbaum 2 ad cards that form a diptych sculpted emboss design on luxurious tuck box stock gold foil detail on tuck first edition custom seal bicycle playing card stock with air cushion (linen) finish printed by the United States Playing Card Company made in the USA

This year the Magna Carta turned 800 years old. Initially ambiguous in its future, this document has transformed over time into an icon that has rippled throughout world history with positive change. To me, the Magna Carta is one of the most inspiring examples of timelessness. Today the Magna Carta is the foundation of liberty and human rights in many parts of the world. This deck series was created to honor and celebrate this landmark occasion. 

This series is split up into two factions. Royals vs. Rebels. The Royals deck commands attention in rich black, representing the King and his empire. The sleek back design features the gorgeous crowned lion in which 3 heads represent the 3 lion crest of the Angevin Empire. As a way to pay tribute to this event, you can now recreate it with the world's first hexapytch deck series. Often times the sides of a tuck case are wasted away with filler text, being an underutilized area for artwork. Inspired by old book collections which featured beautiful murals across their spines, I've illustrated this famous event based on the iconic image of the signing. Utilizing 2 decks of the Royals as the center with a Rebels deck on either end creates the basic image, adding a King John deck (Gold or Silver) on the very ends completes the full image.

• Tuck cases are foiled with eye-catching gold and embossed on premium stock to provide a sense of depth to the touch.
• Inner tuck case is lined with an exact replica of the actual 1215 Magna Carta document in archive from The British Library.
• Cards are made with Aristocrat stock and coated with premium magic finish for increased longevity and performance.
• Card designs feature gorgeous metallic gold accents throughout that help unite the cards to their cases and to each other.
• Printed with the United States Playing Card Company

This year the Magna Carta turned 800 years old. Initially ambiguous in its future, this document has transformed over time into an icon that has rippled throughout world history with positive change. To me, the Magna Carta is one of the most inspiring examples of timelessness. Today the Magna Carta is the foundation of liberty and human rights in many parts of the world. This deck series was created to honor and celebrate this landmark occasion. 

This series is split up into two factions. Royals vs. Rebels. The Royals deck commands attention in rich black, representing the King and his empire. The sleek back design features the gorgeous crowned lion in which 3 heads represent the 3 lion crest of the Angevin Empire. As a way to pay tribute to this event, you can now recreate it with the world's first hexapytch deck series. Often times the sides of a tuck case are wasted away with filler text, being an underutilized area for artwork. Inspired by old book collections which featured beautiful murals across their spines, I've illustrated this famous event based on the iconic image of the signing. Utilizing 2 decks of the Royals as the center with a Rebels deck on either end creates the basic image, adding a King John deck (Gold or Silver) on the very ends completes the full image.

• Tuck cases are foiled with eye-catching gold and embossed on premium stock to provide a sense of depth to the touch.
• Inner tuck case is lined with an exact replica of the actual 1215 Magna Carta document in archive from The British Library.
• Cards are made with Aristocrat stock and coated with premium magic finish for increased longevity and performance.
• Card designs feature gorgeous metallic gold accents throughout that help unite the cards to their cases and to each other.
• Printed with the United States Playing Card Company

This year the Magna Carta turned 800 years old. Initially ambiguous in its future, this document has transformed over time into an icon that has rippled throughout world history with positive change. To me, the Magna Carta is one of the most inspiring examples of timelessness. Today the Magna Carta is the foundation of liberty and human rights in many parts of the world. This deck series was created to honor and celebrate this landmark occasion. 

This series is split up into two factions. Royals vs. Rebels. The Royals deck commands attention in rich black, representing the King and his empire. The sleek back design features the gorgeous crowned lion in which 3 heads represent the 3 lion crest of the Angevin Empire. As a way to pay tribute to this event, you can now recreate it with the world's first hexapytch deck series. Often times the sides of a tuck case are wasted away with filler text, being an underutilized area for artwork. Inspired by old book collections which featured beautiful murals across their spines, I've illustrated this famous event based on the iconic image of the signing. Utilizing 2 decks of the Royals as the center with a Rebels deck on either end creates the basic image, adding a King John deck (Gold or Silver) on the very ends completes the full image.

For collectors I've crafted a special King John deck representing the origin of the Magna Carta. This deck is crucial in helping tell the story of the abuse in taxation which spurred the eventual rebellion. The deck represents the motivations of the Magna Carta, featuring King John tuck case but with the Rebel Baron's gold in hand representing the taxation crisis.

 Limited Edition SILVER King John Deck Features

• Only 800 printed
• Features a completely new tuck case adorning the majestic Ace of Spades of King John with the gold of the Rebels
• Silver edges
• Tuck case is foiled with eye-catching gold and embossed on premium stock to provide a sense of depth to the touch. 
• Cards are made with Aristocrat stock and coated with premium magic finish for increased longevity and performance. 
• Card designs feature gorgeous metallic gold accents throughout that help unite the cards to their cases and to each other. 
• Printed with the United States Playing Card Company

 

NOTE - In addition a gold guilded version of the King John deck was created and limited to 500 decks.  The silver and gold versions of the deck differ only by the seal and the color of the edge guilding.

This year the Magna Carta turned 800 years old. Initially ambiguous in its future, this document has transformed over time into an icon that has rippled throughout world history with positive change. To me, the Magna Carta is one of the most inspiring examples of timelessness. Today the Magna Carta is the foundation of liberty and human rights in many parts of the world. This deck series was created to honor and celebrate this landmark occasion. 

This series is split up into two factions. Royals vs. Rebels. The Royals deck commands attention in rich black, representing the King and his empire. The sleek back design features the gorgeous crowned lion in which 3 heads represent the 3 lion crest of the Angevin Empire. As a way to pay tribute to this event, you can now recreate it with the world's first hexapytch deck series. Often times the sides of a tuck case are wasted away with filler text, being an underutilized area for artwork. Inspired by old book collections which featured beautiful murals across their spines, I've illustrated this famous event based on the iconic image of the signing. Utilizing 2 decks of the Royals as the center with a Rebels deck on either end creates the basic image, adding a King John deck (Gold or Silver) on the very ends completes the full image.

For collectors I've crafted a special King John deck representing the origin of the Magna Carta. This deck is crucial in helping tell the story of the abuse in taxation which spurred the eventual rebellion. The deck represents the motivations of the Magna Carta, featuring King John tuck case but with the Rebel Baron's gold in hand representing the taxation crisis.

 Limited Edition GOLD King John Deck Features

• Only 500 printed
• Features a completely new tuck case adorning the majestic Ace of Spades of King John with the gold of the Rebels
• Gilded shimmering gold edges by USPCC to help maintain final deck sealed in mint condition.
• Tuck case is foiled with eye-catching gold and embossed on premium stock to provide a sense of depth to the touch. 
• Cards are made with Aristocrat stock and coated with premium magic finish for increased longevity and performance. 
• Card designs feature gorgeous metallic gold accents throughout that help unite the cards to their cases and to each other. 
• Printed with the United States Playing Card Company

 

NOTE - In addition a silver guilded version of the King John deck was created and available ONLY through the Kickstarter project at 800 decks produced. The silver and gold versions of the deck differ only by the seal and the color of the edge guilding.

The 1818 decks represent the luxury peak of the "Bold" project. Up to 82 (1-81 plus no. 0) hand-numbered decks were released into the world. The 1818 Experimental decks, in particular, belong to a run of 18 decks with hand-crafted, special gilding realized in Italy. Each participant was given the possibility to choose the color of the tucks and the deck to gild (Deluxe or STD). With 3 possible colors for the paper stock and 2 possible decks to gild, the experiment led to 6 combinations. Why 1818? Giambattista Bodoni’s Manuale Tipografico is considered one of history’s greatest typographical achievements. Among other things, Bodoni’s Manual of Typography explores the origins of the much-loved Bodoni typeface, which is a fundamental element for the Bold decks too. The book was first published posthumously in 1818.