Fulton Street 1958 Edition Playing Cards

Previously, Brad Fulton collaborated with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to create a truly unique deck of playing cards, exploring the rich history of NY Subway- the 1972 Vignelli Map Edition which features the iconic colored lines and signage designed by Massimo Vignelli. The latest edition features another rich history of the NY Subway- the Fulton Street 1958 Edition playing cards.

The tuck box features the iconic graphic design for the NY Subway Map brochure done by George Salmon in 1958. It comes with a long black strip sticker seal that features the vintage signage of NYC Transit Authority.

The back design features the same artwork as featured on the tuckbox. The Ace of Spades features subway lines embedded into the enlarged pip. Custom pips can be found on the remaining Number Cards – graphical suits tucked inside geometrical shapes. Court cards feature arrow signs with the courts’ initials and pip. Both Jokers feature an identical vintage signage of NY Subway.

The cards are printed by WJPC on Cardistry Stock. The deck is currently sold at $18 at FultonsPlayingCards.

Now on Kickstarter! Beetle Backs Playing Cards

Now on Kickstarter, Beetle Backs Playing Cards are the latest deck produced by the Gentleman Wake in collaboration with Widakk Design. The Beetle Backs are designed as a luxurious deck of cards intended for game night, magicians, as well as card collectors. The theme explores the Kafkaesque tale of Theodore. G. Willford, an entomologist who is obsessed in his study of the rhinoceros beetle.

There are a total of 6 editions: 4 editions (Crimson Red – Cobalt Blue – Prestige Black – Dynastinae Green) are currently available, with the other 2 (Prism Purple and Legacy Gold) locked behind stretch goals. The tuck box for Crimson – Cobalt – Prestige – Legacy features a typographic work saying the title of the series, along with an intricate framework with TGW initials and the illustration of a rhinoceros beetle. As for the tuck box for Dynastinae – Prism, it features the portrait of the entomologist as an anthropomorphic beetle. Studio Pression in France will produce all tuck boxes.

There are two different designs for the backs of the Beetle Backs. For Crimson – Cobalt – Prestige – Legacy, the back design features a two-way illustration of the beetle entomologist sitting in his vintage study within the intricate border. For Dynastinae – Prism, the back design features a symmetrical mirrored illustration of the entomologist standing with a cane complete with the initials of TGW.

The artworks will be printed on ivory background: CMYK with Metallic Pantone inks for Crimson and Cobalt – beautiful gold cold foiling for Prestige, Legacy, and Dynastinae – divine holographic cold foil for Prism. The cards for Legacy, Dynastinae, and Prism will be gilded.

The faces of the cards are designed in a way that is suitable for gameplay and magic, yet luxurious with custom artworks. The pips are all standard, with a single pip on each Number Cards will have the TGW initials. The court cards feature Widakk’s iteration of the classic courts, with hidden details of rhinoceros beetle – a homage to Widakk’s “The Devils in the Details”.

All of the Aces feature customized enlarged pips – Ace of Spades features an elaborate artwork of a flying entomologist within the floral framework and a glimpse of his gentleman study; the other Aces depict the multiple stages of metamorphosis of Theodore G. Willford – from man to beetle. Both Jokers feature identical illustrations of the beetle riding a penny-farthing, a homage to the vintage Bicycle jokers. The extra cards feature the portrait of the entomologist and the TGW placard.

All of the cards will be printed with Cartamundi on B9 Slimline stock with Linen Finish. Pledge starts at $20 for either Crimson or Cobalt Edition OR $26 for the Prestige Edition on Kickstarter.

Noren Playing Cards, Inspired by Japanese Heritage

Deckita Decks is a well-known playing cards retailer based in Japan. They’ve sold a variety of cardistry decks, including Japanese-made cardistry decks. Now funding on Kickstarter, Noren Playing Cards, a deck inspired by Japanese heritage will be Deckita’s inaugural deck made for the art of flourishing.

The back design features “noren”, strips of traditional fabric dressed with calligraphy that hand in front of windows and doorways in Japan. The calligraphy works are done by Irekoma Kazuyo, a student of Japanese Calligraphy with 25 years of dedicated practice. The stamps found throughout the deck are her personal stamps.

The face cards are mostly standard to keep it minimalistic for cardistry. The Ace of Spades features a composition of stamps and calligraphy. Both Jokers feature an identical illustration of a samurai warrior. The extra card features a traditional Japanese artwork – “okabe narrow ivy-covered road at Mount Utsu”.

The deck is packaged in a tuck box that imitates the aging 18th-century book cover with the title written in ancient Japanese. There are signature stamps can be found on the front side of the box.

The cards will be printed by USPCC on their premium stock and air cushion finish. Pledge starts from $12 on Kickstarter.

Ascension Playing Cards

Fantasy. Families. Lion.

Steve Minty‘s Ascension Playing cards are epically designed and illustrated as an homage to his beloved TV series, Game of Thrones while giving it a spin in his style and interpretation. The deck features fully custom artwork from the gorgeous Aces, to the pips, indices, and courts featuring characters from the series.

The deck design features the essence of the families as a foundation. The Wolves were dark, brooding and stalwart whereas the Lions were opulent, lush and ornate. In addition to that, the moon and sun design motifs are incorporated in the deck as wolves have been synonymous with howling at the moon and lions basked in the warmth of the sun. The motifs visually contrasted with both families.

The tuck itself will also be metallic foiled but done in a way where it does not lose focus from the figurehead. Printed by the United States Playing Card Co.

All 2023’s Black Friday Deck Releases!

Black Friday 2023 is here! Deals for savvy collectors, cardists, and magicians have already started appearing. Click here for some of our picks. Shop for your friends or treat yourself, but don’t miss out on these NEW deck releases: 

David Blaine: Signed In Spades Gatorbacks (Link)

Ellusionist: Sculpt (Link)

Kings Wild Project: Verum Videre (Kickstarter)

Art of Play: Mystery Decks

Theory11: Yellowstone

Theory11: Harry Potter Ivory and Gold Foil Edition

Theory11: WB Limited Edition Deck

Dan and Dave: Rouge Smoke & Mirrors (Link)

Black Friday 2023 BEST Playing Cards Deals

Once again… Black Friday is here! Deals for savvy collectors, cardists and magicians have already started appearing – including from Art of Play and Thirdway Industries to Ellusionist, King’s Wild Project, and Cardvo… to name just a few.

As usual, we’re working hard to bring you the best Black Friday deals from the most reputable retailers around the globe, as soon as they’re announced. So bookmark this page for selected deals or head to tuckcase.com, where we collate all the deals in one easy-to-browse site, to help you find bargains and save. Happy bargain hunting!

Here’s a list of our handpicked range of standout deals that have caught our attention so far:

+ Theory11: 25% Off Star Wars silver edition playing cards with coupon code: GALAXY

+ Ellusionist: 50% off Ellusionist products with discount code: GETSOME. Also, free gifts with every order over $50, $100 and $250.

+ Art of Play: Get up to 30% off with early access to Art of Play’s Black Friday sale.

+ Dan and Dave: 20% Off Storewide.

+ Vanishing Inc: Huge discounts up to 80% off. Vanishing Inc produced books, tricks, downloads, and accessories are a massive 20% off. Free worldwide shipping.

+ RarePlayingCards: On Sale! 40% off 60 selected decks. Discount automatically applied at check out.

+ PlayingCardDecks.com: 25% Off Site-Wide with coupon code: BF2023.

+ 52Kards: 30% of premium decks​ and magic. Free shipping on USA orders over $52.

+ Joker and the Thief: 40% off Storewide.

+ Global Magic Shop: Over 1800 items with up to 50% off!

+ Butterfly Playing Cards: Butterfly Playing Cards are available with discounts to up to 65%. A selection of decks, books and magic discounted by 20% to 50%. Also, 10% storewide discount and free gifts for every order.

+ Penguin Magic: Over $1,000 in free gifts + TEN new products + FREE SHIPPING + much, much more..

+ TCC Playing Cards: Up to 15% OFF storewide with coupon code: TCCBLACKFRIDAY.

+ MPC: Use coupon code at checkout to get your discount: FRIDAY2023

+ MISC Goods Co: MISC Goods playing cards from $11.

+ Cardvo: Buy 3 decks and save 23%.

+ CollectablePlayingCards: 20% Off the Entire Store! Use coupon code BF2023 at checkout.

+ Thirdway Industries: 20% off storewide with discount code: CODEBLACK23.

+ Socal Playing Cards: 20% off site-wide at checkout.

+ Wondercraft: 25% off playing cards.

+ Card Mafia: Enjoy up to 25% off the entire store.

+ Isolated Thunderstorm: Discounts on selected decks.

+ Curio Playing Cards: 50% off storewide.

+ Mechanic Industries: 15% off all products with coupon code BLKFRI23.

+ Montenzi: Discounted decks storewide!

We Just Released Kardify Magazine Issue 78 on Patreon

Now available on Patreon… Kardify Magazine Issue 78!  Patrons who pledged $3 or more will be able to download the latest issue from our Patreon page. This issue compiles selected articles published from mid-October to mid-November. Deck images, articles, and news to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest playing card news, releases, and previews. If you love playing cards, you will love Kardify Magazine!

Also, don’t forget to check out our other cool reward tiers on Patreon! The tiers include monthly desktop and smartphone wallpapers, a mystery deck shipped to you every 4 months of ongoing contributions, social media shout-outs, and multiple sponsorship tiers! Check it out!

Funds received from the magazine will help us keep the site running and growing, and bring new quality content to you. Our aim is to support designers by backing crowdfunded projects and supporting magic and playing cards retailers with their new releases. If you want to support us, please head over to our Patreon page. If you have an idea for an article you would like us to pursue, do get in contact with us. We hope you enjoy the read. In this issue:   

+ Excelsior II: From Kings Wild Project, continue to be captivated by the allure of playing cards that will transport you back to the opulent era of classic card games. Find out more!

+ Mandalorian V2: Star Wars fans rejoice! Theory11 has released V2 of the Mandalorian playing cards featuring completely custom artwork. Check it out!

+ 52 Plus Joker 2023 Club Deck: Check out this beautiful deck! This year’s club deck is a collab between Brendan Hong and the Expert Playing Card Co.

+ Cardistry-Con 2023: Produced by Art of Play in collaboration Dan and Dave for Cardistry-Con London, these cards showcase a distinctive and minimalist design crafted specifically for the art of flourishing.

+ Where Cards Fall: This unique playing cards-theme puzzle game offers a heartfelt coming-of-age story, presented as brief memories of a young protagonist’s life.

+ Watchmakers- Dynaties Blossom: Unearth the captivating history of watchmaking dynasties and their remarkable ascent with these premium playing cards by 3rd Dominion.

 + Escape Velocity Blue Edition: A beautifully crafted deck inspired by the incredible history of space exploration, honoring the brave heroes who defied gravity and ventured into the great unknown. Have a look!

+ 52 Plus Joker Diamond Awards: Find out who won the prestigious 52 Plus Joker Diamond Awards this year.

… and more! 50 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Smoke & Mirrors V9 Orange Edition Playing Cards

Exciting news for fans of Smoke & Mirrors. Back in print after a decade-long hiatus, Dan and Dave have just added a new colorway to the Smoke & Mirrors ninth edition… vibrant Orange!

Marking its comeback, this edition is a tribute to the fourth version initially released in 2010. Returning to its roots, the ninth edition mirrors the aesthetics of Version 4, boasting a reminiscent back design, minimalistic court cards, customized jokers, and an intricately designed ace of spades, a throwback to the OGs that captivated enthusiasts a decade ago.

The Orange edition serves as the herald for a series of forthcoming color variations, promising a palette of vibrant choices in the upcoming months. Available in multiple options, collectors can choose from the Standard Edition, the Standard Edition signed by D&D, or the Deluxe Edition. 

The Deluxe Edition comes encased in an oversized swivel box, complete with a numbered seal limited to just 999 units, presenting a luxurious and exclusive addition to any collection.

Printed by the prestigious United States Playing Card Company, this iteration of Smoke & Mirrors is crafted on a proprietary thin stock. Available NOW from dananddave for $15.

Piracy Playing Cards

Treasure. Sea. Mystery.

Piracy Playing Cards are produced by Theory11 in collaboration with Peter McKinnon’s Pete’s Pirate Life. Pete’s Pirate Life is more than a brand, it’s a way of life, a sign of never giving up, taking risks, and living every day to the fullest.

The deck is inspired by the deep sea’s mysteries and the guardians protecting lost treasures. Inside, every aspect of the deck was designed from scratch, featuring fully custom fonts, suits, Jokers, Court Cards, and Aces dripped in gold and silver foil.

The deck is produced using a dual-foil printing process- featuring both gold and gunmetal silver foil on the backs and faces, with extreme detail and precision. The tuck box prominently features the logo and the motto of the brand, Fly the Flag.

Available NOW on theory11 for $19.95.

BaoBao Restaurant's Peach SOJU Playing Cards

BaoBao Restaurant has just added a new item to their playing cards menu, Soju, a drink famous in South Korea. Produced by Canadian magician Bao Hoang, BaoBao Restaurant continues cute thematic decks based on food and drinks!

The soju playing cards tuck box is designed to look like the body of the soju bottle, complete with drink labels. It has a green colored bottle with hints of purple for peach flavor. The tongue flap of the box has extra fold lines- if you extend it and fold it, you can turn the box into a mini-bottle!

The back design features two-way artwork of a peach soju bottle with pink splash graphics. The positioning of the semi-circle splashes on the corners creates a good appeal on card flourishes- as well as the tradition for a magician’s worker deck.

The main color for the cards is lime green with peach pink: black suits are green, while red suits are pink. They featured customized pips, with the Ace of Spades featuring an illustration of the soju bottle with the peach fruit.

The court cards are fully custom with the royals enjoying their soju drinks, either they enjoyed it or feeling sour or drunk. The Jokers feature a cute soju bottle and peach character. A completely cute theme overall.

Printed by TWPCC and pledge starts from $12 for a single deck of Peach Soju on Kickstarter.

Limited Edition Eleven Madison Park Playing Cards

In a unique fusion of culinary artistry and card mastery, Eleven Madison Park brings you a limited edition playing card set, marking 25 years of its Michelin-starred legacy in the heart of New York. Designed in collaboration with Theory11, these cards are not just decks… they are a culinary masterpiece.

This collaboration is a testament to a journey that began in 2012. The custom EMP Monarch playing cards introduced then added an innovative twist to the fine dining experience at EMP, swiftly becoming a collector’s item. Now, after eleven years in the making, the partnership unveils a new limited edition.

What sets these playing cards apart is the touch of culinary genius infused into their design. Each card, a canvas of plant-based illustrations, is hand-painted in watercolor by Chef Daniel Humm himself. This creative process is an extension of the restaurant’s commitment to innovation, echoed in its plant-based menu.

The packaging of these decks is no less a work of art. Crafted by hand in Minnesota, it employs tree-free hemp-fiber paper, echoing Eleven Madison Park’s dedication to sustainability and craftsmanship.

Immerse yourself in a world where culinary art meets the finesse of cardistry. Every card in this deck is not just a piece of a game; it’s a feast for the eyes, a tribute to the creativity and passion poured into each dish served at Eleven Madison Park.

Available NOW from theory11.com for $16.95.

Final Days on Kickstarter, Bag of Bones Playing Cards

Mad kings, assassins and a headless dinner guest are all denizens of this dark and droll universe. Bag of Bones playing cards offers an entertaining mix of eccentric characters and macabre humor! Designed and hand-illustrated by John Littleboy, this transformation deck is filled with humor and personality, from the flies in the web, the garden, the rising naga, and blood-splattered stairs!

Currently seeking funds on Kickstarter, the deck promises an alluring experience with its elegant gold-foiled tuck box, inviting you to unlock the secrets it holds. Each suit in the deck comes with its own horrific story, creating a macabre narrative that unfolds card by card. The designs are a fusion of scarlet, vermilion, rose red, and sooty black, creating a Devil’s palette that burns with rich and vibrant contrasts.

The cards feature a trio of elegant parasites, each with its own unique and chilling story. The king, consulting his book of recipes for a cauldron of Being Soup seasoned with the seven deadly spices, adds a supernatural twist to traditional court cards. Every detail is meticulously crafted, from the sinuous demon with flaming hair to the flame-spitting oratorio performed by the Jack.

Two editions are availalbe during the Kickstarter campaign- Classic and Premium. The Bag of Bones Classic Deck provides a hauntingly beautiful experience without the premium touches. The Bag of Bones Premium Deck, embossed with gold or silver foil, takes it a step further, offering variations in the face cards between gold and silver decks.

Printed by WJPC and pledge starts at $20 on Kickstarter. Backers can anticipate a journey into a realm where elegance meets horror, and every card tells a tale of mystery and magic!

The Corrupted Playing Cards

After successfully funding Groundskeeper Playing Cards a few months ago, Wyrmwood is back with another playing cards project on Kickstarter. Under creative direction from The Gentleman Wake and designed by Xia Hunt, the Corrupted Playing Cards is a Halloween-themed deck based on their tarot deck.

There are two main editions on the Kickstarter campaign: Twilight and Chaotic Night. Twilight Edition has two variants: Teal and Violet. Both of them will have a white background on the face of the cards, while Chaotic Night will have a black background on the face of the cards. All cards will have gold foiling on the details as well as gold gilding on the edges. The very exclusive edition will be the Prismatic, which includes holographic foil.

The card back design features the artwork of snakes slithering to form the shape of an hourglass. In the center is the stabbing bloody sword with the wicked tree. On the background is the duality of day and night complete with the merged sun and moon.

The deck of cards will have elements of a Tarot deck, with symbolisms and illustrations merged into the classic layout of a deck of playing cards. The Number Cards, from Ace to Ten, are made into Transformation Cards – the customized pips interact with the illustrations in the background. Each suit represents each of the Four Elements and each of the items found on the Tarot deck. All the golden details on the cards are done with cold foiling.

The court cards are two-way illustrations of royal courts in two different states. The main side is them wearing their royal clothes and in their human form. The alternate side is their “corrupted” side, demonic forms that are imbued with the 12 Zodiacs.

The tuck box is made with premium matte stock with beautiful metallic foiling and embossing. The front side shows the title of the deck with the logo of Wyrmwood transformed into the seasonal spooky Halloween theme – a wicked tree expanding from the shield logo.

Pledge starts from $30 for a single deck on Kickstarter.

Alice in Wonderland (Standard Edition) Playing Cards

Literature. Whimsical. Wonderland.

Take a trip down the Rabbit Hole in Wonderland with Alice and the wildly unusual and whimsical characters of the beloved story, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ designed in exquisite detail by Jackson Robinson. The standard edition of the Alice deck features Gold accents on the back design and the tuck case.

The meticulously designed court cards feature wildly unusual and whimsical characters of the beloved story in exquisite detail. The jokers consist of a vertical diptych image of Alice as she tumbles down the rabbit hole to find what awaits her in Wonderland.

The deck comes wrapped in a gold-foiled, 3D-embossed tuck case that embodies the same intricacy of the card designs. Printed by the Kings WIld Playing Card Co. and available NOW on kingswildproject.com for $12.