Dr. Rosewood's Playcards
Circus and Freak Show aesthetics by Upupæpop.
In 2016, the young graphic design and letterpress studio Upupæpop released a pack of Dr. Rosewood’s Playing Cards as a tangible outcome of its circus project. The design may have been inspired by the Wilhelm Tell pack of double-headed cards commonly used in the Czech Republic – Dr. Rosewood’s cards are also double-headed and use Roman numerals to denote the values of the face cards. Any similarity ends with these basic attributes. The cards offer an original design in a delicate graphic style, stylised in blue and pink with a wide range of shades. The designers have also chosen their own symbols for the suits. “The heroes of the old circus put on a freak show with their card symbols – dagger, heart, cannonball and star.” Each card features a unique motif illustrating the chosen theme. They view the world of the old circus and freak show through a romantic lens with a nostalgic undertone.
Dr. Rosewood's Playing Cards made by Upupæpop, Czech Republic, 2016.
The reverse side of the cards, set against a pink background, features a jumble of motifs. I imagine that the two small cut-outs in the top corners might be the creators’ hidden alter egos. The motif on the reverse is also repeated on the paper box .
A minor drawback, which limits the cards’ practical use in gameplay, is the material used to make them. Whilst the graphic paper is otherwise pleasant, it has no slipperiness and is perhaps too flexible. This makes the deck more of a beautiful artefact than a practical playing tool.
website: upupaepop►
By Marek Brejcha
Czech Republic • Member since June 13, 2024
My relationship with cards grew from playing to collecting and transformed into publishing as well. I am part of the team at Counter Clockwise, a small company that publishes traditional card games. I'm member of the Czech Playing Card Collectors' Club (Club sběratelů hracích karet z.s.).
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