Metrodeck Playing Cards

With the emergence of KickStarter and boutique magic companies, countless custom playing cards have flooded the market but none is as innovative and environmentally friendly as the Metrodeck. The Metrodeck is a limited-edition playing cards silkscreened on recycled New York Metro cards. This deck include images inspired by landmarks throughout all boroughs of the city, individually screen hand-printed in four colors of enamel ink. Impressive!

For two years the Brooklyn-based designer, Norman Ibarra have been gathering cards at random, after having been purchased, used, and discarded by either a visitor or resident of New York City. Some have been signed or otherwise marked, making each card one of a kind.

Obviously more a collector's item and not really suitable for flourishes and magic, the cards are however beautifully designed. The face cards are inspired by landmarks across the five Boroughs - Grand Central Terminal, the Staten Island Ferry, Coney Island and Times Square, referencing the tremendous reach of the subway system. The Ace was inspired by NYC’s manhole covers and more colorful cards are used. The ink-heavy backgrounds do enhance the look of the cards.

The deck also offers some insight into the city's history by showcasing over ten years of advertising. Each deck has a random assortment of ads dating anywhere between 2001 and 2012. Some cards are truly one of a kind. Due to materials and handcrafting, each deck has slight variations from one piece to the next.

Overall, these 54-card deck is definitely not cheap, but the uniqueness of this product and the amount of work that goes into each deck earns it's place in any card collection.

Taiwan Cardistry - Provenance 足年

One of the more active cardisty community out there now and some pretty sweet moves.

Cardistry is Art (Card Flourishes)

Some of the biggest name in the industry.

World Young Cardists - Collaboration video #1

These guys are darn good! Smooth and effortlessly executed.

Federal 52 Playing Cards

Federal 52 is a Bicycle Playing Card Deck designed by Jackson Robinson. This beautifully crafted deck is inspired by US banknotes and currency.

Recently launched at the crowdfunding site, Kickstarter, the campaign is seeking $7.9k in funding and there is no doubt the goal will be met in a matter of days. The cards are beautifully designed and a lot of thought has been put into the concept and the development of the deck.

For example, the Ace of Spades used the traditional engraving designs of the US banknotes. The words ACE OF SPADES spans the top of the card, the bold ace sits proudly in the center, and filling the space above and below the ace is a green treasury-like seal superimposed with the word ACE. To give it a banknote feel, the designer has painstakingly replicated the border into the card. Absolutely stunning!

The first deck is due out to the backers in September 2013.

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Fulton's Clip Joint Playing Cards

Fulton's Clip Joint Playing Cards is a very elegant and classy deck. Designed by Dan Phillips, this limited edition deck is inspired by the vintage Los Angeles, film noir and the art of the grift.

The tuck box is a nice charcoal grey and the double sided matte-like finish to the embossed box gives a nice touch of class and elegance even before you open it. The deck follows that elegance; the back design is sophisticated but somewhat muted using a black and white theme, which is soft on the eye.

At first glance, the faces appear to be standard faces without any customization. But after closer inspection, you will see one of the pips on each card, has a pattern on the inside. The court cards are standard but the black and grey combo makes the red really stand out. An excellent complement to rest of the deck. The most unique cards in the deck however, are the jokers as neither one of them say joker on it.

Right out of the box, they handle fantastically! The stock is soft, heavy and smoothness adds to the quality. Fans, shuffles, spreads and dribbles are done with ease. Perfect for both magic and flourishing.

Pros: 
- Elegantly and classy
- Handles perfectly for both flourishing and magic
- Custom pips

Cons: 
 - Standard court cards

Overall: 
 - 5/5

Mr. and Mrs. Who? Playing Cards

Mr and Mrs who is a brand that was founded with the purpose of representing famous people from the world of entertainment, art, music and fashion in a minimal way by making the characters recognizable only by any characteristic features. The design innovators at Chambre Sept have collaborated with Dal Negro in creating these colorful illustrated poker cards commemorate some beloved and familiar icons from the world of Pop culture.

Instead of the traditional set of suits, Chambre Sept's deck features Hip hop, Rock, Pop and Fashion Suits. The cards commemorate icons from the world of the music, art, entertainment and fashion in a very minimalist pop art style including those of Jay-Z, Kanye West, Freddie Mercury, Jim Morrison, Karl Lagerfeld, Rihanna, etc. The Pop–or Diamond suit–for instance uses David Bowie for its Jack, Lady Gaga for its Queen and Michael Jackson for its King, zombifying one of the double images on the late King of Pop’s card for added symbolism. Cheekily, the Beatles make the four stars on the Joker cards.