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Published September 11, 2014 Updated November 24, 2023

Legends Playing Cards

Legends Playing Card Company (founded 2013) aspires to print the highest quality playing cards and packaging in the world.

2013 Hong Kong Taiwan Legends Mark Stutzman Stuart Palm Cardistry Magic Videos Add to Collection

The first edition (#852) Legends deck was a collaboration between David Blaine, Bill Kalush and Lawrence Sullivan, with design from Mark Stutzman. Now into a second edition with new refinements and a choice of three colour schemes, the quality of the card stock and finish is where LPCC decks really stand out. The cards feel smoother right out of the box and have slip and snap qualities that make them perfect for flourishes, shuffle work, deals and more or less any kind of sleight of hand.

Sullivan’s concept behind Mark Stutzman’s artwork was to create something subtle, yet filled with detail: a unique blend of Asian and Western mythology:

   “Growing up in Asia allowed me to source the Legends #852 factory in Taiwan and work with them extensively before printing the first Legends #852 run. Later down the road I shared the factory information with Bill Kalush, who started Expert Playing Card Company. Blaine and Stutzman helped with the design / artwork side of the first deck. Expert Playing Card Company is a separate entity from Legends Playing Card Company, but we have a very good relationship, and speak very often about projects, working together to come up with new innovations in the playing card industry.” - Lawrence Sullivan

Above: Legends Playing Cards produced by a new card factory in Taipei  (Click image to zoom). The courts are standard other than the King and Queen of Spades: the King is Lawrence Sullivan himself, the queen a close friend! The back design looks very clean from a distance, but it has many hidden features. Card stock is ultra-thin, yet stiff and of good weight. Printing registration is sharp and bold and the backs have thin borders, evenly cut. The card surface is embossed with tiny dimples creating excellent handling qualities. The finishing coat is smooth, but less slippery than standard brands, and adapts to your card-handling style.

#852 Legends are a breakthrough in playing card quality. New manufacturing methods were innovated to create this initial batch, which makes Legends a cut above the rest.

Legends No.202 Egyptian Edition

Above: Legends No.202 Egyptian Edition, featuring the best packaging design ever seen on a deck of cards, in a choice of three colour schemes. A custom die cut tuck box, lustrous mirror-like interior foil, and for the first time ever on a tuck case, stunning 3D foiling and embossing on our hallmark. These features, coupled with ultra precise two tone printing, which emphasises the Egyptian theme and showcases Mark Stutzman's brilliant illustration, make this deck fit for a pharaoh.

Legends Playing Card Company aspires to print the highest quality playing cards and packaging in the world, regardless of price. As a result, LPCC decks last up to five times longer than standard decks.

See also:Serpentine’ Playing Cards→

Gnostic Playing Cards

Gnosis refers to knowledge based on personal experience or perception. In a religious context, gnosis is mystical or esoteric knowledge based on direct participation with the divine.

Gnostic Playing Cards produced by Legends Playing Card Co, 2014

Bund18 Playing Cards

Bund18 Playing Cards produced by Legends Playing Card Co, 2014
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1,433 Articles

By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.


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