Matte Black Gilding

This deck features weirdly wonderful bio-mechanical anthropomorphic creatures from English artist Mr. Mead who channeled his childhood fear and obsession with anthropomorphism. The characters are grouped by family into the four suits, Birds for the Hearts, Horned Beasts the Diamonds, Cats the Spades and Foxes the Clubs. A total of 4 versions were printed in 6 runs of 100 each.  Each version uses the same cards, but a different tuck for each version.  Initially released in April 2011 as v1 with 100 decks using a tuckbox featuring a rat head and Antlers Gallery 'A' logo on the back, as they were sold by antlersgallery.com only or at the gallery reception event.  Shortly after a 2nd version was printed using the Diving Bull (AoD) on the tuckbox with 100 more decks.  This was followed by another 100 printing as v3 using the Voxman (AoC) on the tuckbox.  Finally the v4 in 3 print runs of 100 each using the foxhead logo, also known as the 'artist edition'.

Mr. Mead uses the traditional drawing technique of dip pen and ink to blend the animal, human and mechanic into a super species he nicknames Bio-Mechanical Anthropomorphism. Working from his studio in Jamaica Street Studios, Bristol, Mead creates artwork for folk tales, album covers, posters and large scale works. He has exhibited far and wide, from London to New York and Melbourne.

Note - details regarding the versions and printings were received directly from the artist via message exchange in early June 2015

KASABIAN Empire (2006 UK promotional-only official Columbia Records manufactured set of playing cards issued in strictly limited quantities with initial orders of the album release, featuring the 'topless lady' album artwork on thereverse of each card, with the complete set housed in a unique picture box!). Contains deck consisting of just the King of Clubs card repeated.

With the band wanting to move on from the previous album's military tinged theme and "explore different aesthetics", the artwork of Empire was inspired by vintage playing cards. According to Tom, they happened to see a deck of cards and "it looked cool." The album and single covers are adapted from Paul-Émile Bécat's Le Florentin, a set of erotic playing cards, and were designed by Andy Hayes. "It just looked amazing," Serge explained. "I loved the colours, the look in his eyes and the way he's holding the girl. They're strange things, playing cards. They have a mad history. The things that have been won and lost through cards is insane." The album sleeve also contains original art by Julie Verhoeven, depicting the four band members and select lyrics

Compucards was a computer-themed deck of cards that used binary values (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc) as opposed to the standard decimal values (Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc) and created by Sam Pitroda in 1983. They also had a computer bug instead of the standard joker and instead of full courts (J,Q,K) they only included computer cards and programmer cards (which resembled the creator Sam Pitroda). The suit signs have been kept as the standard (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and Spades) but with a slight difference. In each suit there is two of each card, there is a + card and a * card. For example, the order of the hearts suit goes: +1 of hearts, *1 of hearts, +2 of hearts, *2 of hears, +4 of hearts, all the way up to +128P of hearts and the *128P of hearts (the P representing the Programmer or King card). In each suit there is 16 cards (two of each) with the four suits the pack has 64 cards in total. The back of the card has a border of binary 1s and 0s with Compucards written from corner to corner. There is two Software Bug cards (Joker) and two instruction cards and a booklet that accompanied the deck which explained how to play games such as Poker and Blackjack with the Compucards. The booklet also included information about the Compucards Company and greater details on how to play standard games such as Poker, Rummy and Blackjack using the Binary cards. For example, playing blackjack using the Compucards was said to be the easiest to learn. Instead of using the standard Get to 21 points to win you have to get to 256 points to win, with using the additional rule that you can use the multiply (*) to increase you point value. There also apparently was a version of the deck called Trumping - http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/29389/trumping 1983 newspaper article http://static.squarespace.com/static/5356af05e4b095ff0fea9e11/t/53912f18e4b062c3a0f09bf1/1402023704326/Computer-coded+game+hits+the+deck.pdf Learn more - http://www.wopc.co.uk/reviews/compucards/index.html

Stargazer Falling Star sparkles with its' vibrant pinks and purples. Printed by USPCC Bicycle Branded Foil Tuck Case 100% hand drawn artwork and custom pips Custom seal Air-Cushion Finish The back card displays a burst of stars surrounded by a swirl of twilight. A beautiful fan with a black hole center.

“Bee”, the playing card brand that has been a well-respected brand in Casino circles for years, is now available in the coveted MetalLuxe finish! “Bee” MetalLuxe Playing Cards feature the traditional diamond back pattern card back design accented in a gorgeous blue foil. The tuck case features both blue and gold foils for an ultra-premium presentation. Each card back features the traditional “Bee” diamond back design, and is hot-stamped with real metal foil, turning this classic card back into a work of art. All “Bee” playing cards are produced with the classic Cambric finish that only USPC can manufacture which is the finish that casinos and consumers trust for optimum shuffling and card-handling. “Bee” MetalLuxe Playing Cards will be a perfect addition to the collector’s assortment or will dazzle players at your next game night. PERFECT FOR CARDISTRY - The brilliant shine of light from the blue MetalLuxe playing card backs will make any Cardistry flourish, spring, aerial, or maneuver literally shine on camera or in person! COLLECTOR’S EDITION – This gorgeous deck is the perfect addition to any card collector’s set. It looks gorgeous displayed on any shelf or coffee table.

The Dark Knight Trilogy Playing Cards feature all of your favorite characters from the iconic series - including BATMAN™, Bane, The Joker™, Scarecrow, and Harvey Dent/Two Face™: “The night is darkest just before the dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming.”

 

This deck was funded through a Kickstarter campaign and features unique art on every card. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1509715903/the-revenge-of-a-devil-cat Full Deck Scan: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/470-the_revenge_of_a_devil_cat

Officially licensed from Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and based on the 'Alien' movie.

The 10 Year Anniversary Edition of If an Octopus Could Palm playing cards features an all-new design illustrated by Jonathan Burton. Exclusive Art of Play mystery deck.

This deck was exclusively created to accompany If an Octopus Could Palm, Dan & Dave’s first book on palming techniques. A limited run, the decks have never been sold separately. The artwork for these cards is a faithful rendering of the book’s cover, which was created by Juan Luis Buñuel. The deck comes with an Ad card, a gaff card, and two custom Jokers.

Walgreens exclusive deck. Full Deck Scan: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/87-bicycle_ice

100% custom playing cards inspired by classic composition books. Designed by James Howells, printed by Expert Playing Card Company. Funded through a Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/penguinmagic/composition-deck-playing-cards-limited-edition?ref=discovery_category&term=composition%20playing%20cards

Full deck scan by macstrat @ https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/183-composition

The end of the world. The Dystopian Deck started as a question: what would magic, cardistry and playing cards look like at the end of the world? Then I realised: perhaps Dystopia is not the future. Perhaps it is now. As well as the images of oppression, I also wanted to capture the raw sense of rebellion and uprising through the smog of this bleak society the deck comes from. This is a deck from a world, where freedom is frowned upon, the people are being silenced and stripped of the necessity for free speech, free lives and happiness. The court cards are the leaders of the deck, and in this post-pandemic scenario, the leaders are either blinded or unable to speak out. A deck by Cavan Booth.

This deck is all about a classic sideshow experience. You’ll see face card characters like the bearded lady, contortionists, fire-breather, sword swallower, lobster boy, and even more on the intricate back. The ring master and monkey round out the deck as the joker cards, all in a tuck that looks like a circus tent. The Sideshow Freaks Deck features original artwork on the front and backs of the cards, including the face cards and jokers. These double ended back and face cards will be a great addition to your next card night. Circus art is becoming more and more popular these days! Bicycle Freaks Playing Cards celebrate the extraordinary circus people who called themselves “Freaks.” Made in the USA at The United States Playing Card Company on premium stock with a patented Air-cushion® finish, softly beveled edges, and sandwich construction for superior play. Full Deck Scan: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/456-bicycle_sideshow_freaks