Legends Playing Cards

Published September 11, 2014 Updated November 24, 2023

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

2013 Hong KongTaiwanCardistryMagicVideosMark StutzmanStuart PalmLegends

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
avatar
1,487 Articles

By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact

I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.

Related Articles

Mechanical Decks – Part 2

Mechanical Decks – Part 2

This article examines the Rough and Smooth principle in mechanical decks used in magic, detailing se...

Jonathan Hocus Pocus

Jonathan Hocus Pocus

Two sets of conjuring cards published by G. Martin, 6 Great St Thomas Apostle, London, early 19th ce...

2020 Bosch Puzzle Playing Cards

Bosch Puzzle Playing Cards

Bosch Puzzle Playing Cards by Sunish Chabba, 2020.

1986 Christmas Playing Cards

Christmas Playing Cards

Christmas Playing Cards published by Novelty Playing Cards, Syracuse, New York, 1986.

Conjuring Decks

Conjuring Decks

Conjuring Decks by Universal Playing Card Co (Alf Cooke) and others...

1930 De Land’s Nifty playing cards

De Land’s Nifty playing cards

De Land’s Nifty playing cards published by S. S. Adams Co, c.1930.

2017 Vizaĝo playing cards

Vizaĝo playing cards

Vizaĝo playing cards created by Annette Abolins, 2017.

Piñón Fijo

Piñón Fijo

“Piñón Fijo” is an Argentine clown, whose real name is Fabián Gómez. He is well-known on Argentine c...

Magic Poker Cards

Magic Poker Cards

“Magic Poker Cards” are often found inside Christmas crackers along with party hats, puzzles and jok...

1999 Mad Jack Miracle Pack

Mad Jack Miracle Pack

Mad Jack Miracle Pack by Chu’s Magic (Tobar) 1999.

2014 Serpentine

Serpentine

‘Serpentine’ Playing Cards published by Legends P.C.Co., 2014.

Fanning the Playing Cards

Fanning the Playing Cards

The manner of holding the cards in the hand is related to a player’s needs to view his/her hand in a...

The Cardini Playing Cards

The Cardini Playing Cards

Richard Valentine Pitchford, better known as Cardini, is one of that select band of performers who b...

Dragon Fanning Deck

Dragon Fanning Deck

This set of cards published by DP Group Ltd (Japan) allows the performer to create different fans

2007 Girls’ Generation

Girls’ Generation

“Girls’ Generation” (Korean: 소녀시대; Sonyeo Shidae) is a nine-member South Korean pop girl group forme...

Hong Kong Souvenir

Hong Kong Souvenir

Hong Kong Souvenir playing cards.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

A large proportion of the world's souvenir and pin-up playing cards originate from Hong Kong.

1950 Baraja Cuauhtémoc

Baraja Cuauhtémoc

Baraja Cuauhtémoc published by Treviño Narro, Monterrey, Mexico Original artwork by P. X. Santaella ...

Conjuring and Magic

Conjuring and Magic

The art of mystifying people is very old indeed. The first conjurers were priests who obtained power...

1850 Portuguese Conjuring Playing Cards

Portuguese Conjuring Playing Cards

Portuguese Conjuring Playing Cards, c.1850.