Circus Transformation Cards

Published January 16, 2014 Updated June 22, 2022

Deluxe Limited Edition Circus Transformation Deck designed by F. Robert Schick, 1988

1988 USACircusFrank Robert SchickCartamundi

Circus Transformation Deck by F. Robert Schick, 1988

Circus Transformation deck, based on an imaginary Circus theme, was designed by Frank Robert Schick (1924 – 1988), whose signature can be seen on every card. It is presented in a wooden box with a explanatory booklet describing the card designs and a commemorative gold medal. The Jacks are all clowns. The pip cards have been cleverly transformed into miniature illustrations involving animals and figures. The cards are larger than standard and made by Carta Mundi, Belgium, in a limited edition of 1,000 copies. The artist was born in New York City. He received his training in the Arts at Fort Wayne Art Academy, in the State of Indiana. The deck was published posthumously by his wife on his passing on 16 June 1988. See the Flyer

Circus Transformation deck designed by Frank Robert Schick, 1988 Circus Transformation deck designed by Frank Robert Schick, 1988

Above: Circus Transformation deck, based on a Circus theme, designed by Frank Robert Schick 1924 – 1988) and made by Carta Mundi, Belgium, in a limited edition of 1,000 copies. Published in 1988. The set includes a commemorative gold medal and an explanatory booklet.

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

1994 Music playing cards

Music playing cards

Portraits of 13 classical music composers.

1997 Margaret Parrott playing cards

Margaret Parrott playing cards

Margaret Parrott playing cards decorated with whimsical parrots, USA, c. 1997.

1911 Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

Unbranded ‘Romeo and Juliet’ backs by Russell Playing Card Company, c.1911.

2006 National Geographic Nature

National Geographic Nature

National Geographic Nature playing cards, 2006.

The Lumberjacks

The Lumberjacks

2nd edition of Lumberjacks designed by Vadim Smolenskiy and manufactured by U.S.P.C.C.

1910 No.500 Playing Cards

No.500 Playing Cards

No.500 Playing Cards published by U.S.P.C.C., c.1910

Illuminated Playing Cards, c.1865

Illuminated Playing Cards, c.1865

Facsimile edition of Andrew Dougherty's Illuminated deck, c.1865, published by U.S. Games Systems, I...

Jumbo Bridge 88

Jumbo Bridge 88

Cards with jumbo indices were introduced in 1895, and were given the subtitle '88'.

The United States Playing Card Company

The United States Playing Card Company

Over the years the pressures of competition and other market forces have led to many smaller manufac...

Lawrence & Cohen

Lawrence & Cohen

Lawrence & Cohen were successors to Lawrence, Cohen & Co.

1875 Continental Card Co

Continental Card Co

The Continental Card Company, 220 North Second Street, Philadelphia, started in 1874, manufacturing ...

Strauss & Trier, c.1860

Strauss & Trier, c.1860

Strauss & Trier, New York, c.1860.

1850 Thomas Crehore copy, c.1850

Thomas Crehore copy, c.1850

Thomas Crehore copy, c.1850.

U. S. A.

U. S. A.

The manufacture of playing cards in America only began during the second half of the 18th century, a...

Ian Roth’s Unique playing cards

Ian Roth’s Unique playing cards

Ian Roth’s Unique playing cards

2004 Pippoglyph

Pippoglyph

Pippoglyph Playing Cards by Ben Crenshaw © 2004

1998 Bonnie Blue’s Rummy Cards

Bonnie Blue’s Rummy Cards

Bonnie Blue’s Rummy Cards.

2000 Politicards 2000 by Action Publishing

Politicards 2000 by Action Publishing

Politicards 2000 features 54, full colour, caricatures of the candidates, politicians and political ...

4 Seasons Playing Cards

4 Seasons Playing Cards

Colours of the Four Seasons - Playing Card Art Deck

1996 The Deal Playing-card Project

The Deal Playing-card Project

A deck of cards produced as a creative collaboration and made possible largely through volunteers an...