Art Deco
Cassandre for Hermès
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by Rod Starling
Promotional playing cards created by A. M. Cassandre (pseudonym of Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron, 1901-1968) with abstract, almost surrealist figures and ornamentation, but clearly inspired by medieval art and rendered into an Art Deco style.
Hycrest Modern Royalty
Published by the Hycrest Playing Card Co., New York, c.1931. The large suit symbol behind each figure enhances the visual impact of the deck, as does the splendid back design & Joker.
Moderne Art Deco Playing Cards
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by Adam Wintle
This pack created by Randy Coffey is based on the 1920s and 1930s Art Deco style of fine decoration and fashion.
Orient-Express Playing Cards
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by Simon Wintle
Orient Express playing cards evoking a bygone era of chauffeurs, monocles and exoticism. Manufactured by Waddingtons, c.1990.
Past-L-Eze Playing Cards
On “Past-L-Eze” playing cards Kings, Queens and Jacks are no longer stodgy and conventional but pleasingly reflect suspicion, flirtation and worry.
Rummy No.210
Period cartoon images from the 1930s. The Kings are in fancy dress ready to party, the Queens appear ready for socialising whilst the Jacks are already on the go.
Saks-Werbespiel
Promotional playing cards printed by Dondorf for Saks & Company, New York, late 1920s.
Schwarzer Peter
Art Deco style “Schwarzer Peter” card game published by Vereinigte Altenburger und Stralsunder Spielkarten-Fabriken A.G., Stuttgart.
Smart Set 400
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by Rod Starling
The “Smart Set 400” brand with named backs was introduced in c.1906 by the Kalamazoo Playing Card Co. in Michigan. Kalamazoo subsequently merged with the Russell Playing Card Co. in around 1913 or 1914. Thereafter the “Smart Set 400” series continued to be published by the Russell Playing Card Co.
The Aquarian Tarot Deck
The Aquarian Tarot Deck illustrated by David Palladini, published by Morgan Press, Inc., 1970.
The Grand Chinatown Edition by Riffle Shuffle Playing Card Co.
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by Adam Wintle
1920s gangster-themed playing cards, "The Grand", were produced by Kevin Yu under the Riffle Shuffle Playing Card Company brand name, after raising CAD$104,453 from 884 backers on Kickstarter in 2021.
Vac-tric Electric Vacuum Cleaners
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by Simon Wintle
Vac-tric Electric Vacuum Cleaner playing cards manufactured by De la Rue, 1930s.
Vintage skyscraper playing cards
Vintage skyscraper playing cards published by Inkstone Design, Inc., 2005.
Waisenfond
Intended to attract donations on behalf of the Imperial Royal Austrian Military Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund, this elegant and refined deck was designed by Nellie Stern. The deck was printed by Ferdinand Piatnik & Söhne, Vienna in 1916.