Final Day on Kickstarter, Old Paris Playing Cards

Stepping back into the 15th century, the Old Paris deck by Ian Cumpstey offers a rare glimpse into the formative years of French playing card design. This project serves as a sophisticated reconstruction of the legendary Guymier sheet, successfully bridging a historical gap by completing the missing court card set through rigorous research and period-accurate illustration.

Ian has redrawn the court cards with a commitment to authenticity, utilizing gouache painting techniques to emulate traditional stencil coloring. By studying fragmentary evidence from the British Museum and the V&A, the deck features the classic named court cards...  such as the hero Hogier and the formidable Argine. Restored to their intended glory.

The aesthetic choice extends to the pip cards, which adopt a minimalist, one-way design that honors the simplicity of early woodcut aesthetics. Complementing the historical allure, the tuck box mimics the charm of vintage card wrappers, housing a deck that feels less like a modern accessory and more like a discovered antique.

Every aspect of this project was thoughtfully planned, ensuring that the linework and color palette harmonize with the legacy of the Paris pattern. This release strikes a natural balance between academic archival work and the tangible satisfaction of a playable, luxury-grade deck.

For those captivated by the lore of named court cards, this campaign also features an accompanying 100-page book detailing the history of these regal figures. It is an essential companion for collectors who value the intersection of cardistry and historical research.

Printed by Ivory Graphics in England, this book/deck set is currently available on Kickstarter for $25.

Winners of the 52 Plus Joker Diamond Award 2026 Announced!

The prestigious 52 Plus Joker Diamond Awards were revealed last weekend at the 2026 52 Plus Joker Convention in Niagara Falls, NY. The Artist of the Year went to Lorenzo Gaggiotti of Stockholm17. This is Lorenzo's FOURTH Diamond Awards for the Artist of the Year Category. Incredible!

Cavaliers by Lee McKenzie took home the Deck of the Year award this year! This elegant deck is inspired by the iconic artistry, craftsmanship and rich spirit of Cuba’s legendary cigars. Alive with rich gold ink and flourishing detail in a deliberately decadent old-world style. 

Congratulations to Lorenzo, Lee McKenzie and all the nominees for their incredible work!

Stacey Jay Kelly Unveils the Exclusive 2026 Club Deck for 52 Plus Joker

Announced last weekend at the 52+Joker Convention held at the Hilton, Niagara Falls, the 2026 Club Deck by Stacey Jay Kelly stands as a profound tribute to the 52+Joker community, meticulously designed to celebrate its unique cultural heritage. Every element, from the symbology to the structural presentation, reflects a deep commitment to intentional storytelling.

Crafted with an uncompromising focus on luxury, the ENTHUSIASTS deck features a coffee-fiber matte slipcase adorned with sophisticated gold foil and striking embossing. The primary tuck box is equally impressive, offering a custom die-cut design with blind-embossing and precise foil accents that immediately command attention.

Inside, the court cards provide a fully customized experience that honors the diverse spirit of the 52+Joker. Stacey’s artistry is further elevated by delicate foil accents across the faces of every card, ensuring that visual allure remains a constant throughout the deck.

Functionality meets high-end aesthetics through the inclusion of four-corner indices and a custom, no-tear, non-destructive seal. The result is a deck that feels balanced in the hands, successfully bridging the gap between artistic exhibition and professional-grade card performance.

As Stacey notes, this project serves as a testament to creative freedom, resulting in a truly unique addition to any high-end collection.

Printed by Legends Playing Card Co. on their signature Classic Finish stock and available exclusively to members on the 52 Plus Joker club website. With a strictly limited print run of only 1,000 units, this release represents a rare opportunity for members to secure a piece of modern playing card history. 

Quad Asylum Playing Cards on Kickstarter

Anti-Faro’s latest offering on Kickstarter is a dark, immersive journey into the harrowing tales of psychiatric wards, meticulously designed for the discerning enthusiast. This collection is the culmination of some of Anti-Faro’s most haunting artwork, combined with specialized packaging. 

Every aspect of this deck was thoughtfully planned to evoke the clinical, chilling atmosphere of a forgotten institution. Inside, the court cards feature twelve mysterious inmates rendered in greys and sepia tones, each holding a clue to your escape. 

The indices and pips echo a dark history, utilizing a distressed typewriter font modeled after mid-century institutional forms to ground the deck in a gritty, historical reality.

No detail was overlooked, from the unique straitjacket tuck boxes that require you to physically unbuckle the binding to access the cards, to the Asylum Plaque editions featuring heavy hot-foiled embossing. The satin gold and silver gilded edges provide a tactile, premium finish that feels both worn and dangerously sharp.

Beyond just a deck of cards, the Quad Asylum serves as an interactive puzzle that bridges the gap between art and game. The inclusion of special edition metallic gilding and custom-molded collector’s coins makes these sets a centerpiece for any serious card display.

Printed by the Room One Cards and available on Kickstarter for $17.