Cryptic Cards
Cryptic cards created by Immy Smith, United Kingdom, 2017
The Cryptic Cards pack was created by Immy Smith, an interdisciplinary artist interested in crypsis – that’s the ability of animals (and some plants) to avoid detection thanks to camouflage, mimicry, and other evolutionary strategies. The pack was produced in a limited edition of 900, and is a “sciart” project paying homage to the amazing cryptic camouflage found specifically in moths. The publication of the pack was successfully crowdfunded via Kickstarter and printed by Cartamundi UK. According to the information on the original Kickstarter site: “What would happen if, after thousands of years of evolution, moths developed cryptic patterns to camouflage themselves on human-made materials? Cryptic Cards is a year-long project in which artist Immy Smith is painting moths camouflaged into playing card designs as one answer to this question”. The pack consists of 56 cards, including 4 jokers, together with 2 of Immy Smith’s business cards.
Above: Cryptic Cards created by Immy Smith and crowdfunded on Kickstarter, 2017. 56 cards + 4 jokers.
By Peter Burnett
United Kingdom • Member since July 27, 2022 • Contact
I graduated in Russian and East European Studies from Birmingham University in 1969. It was as an undergraduate in Moscow in 1968 that I stumbled upon my first 3 packs of “unusual” playing cards which fired my curiosity and thence my life-long interest. I began researching and collecting cards in the early 1970s, since when I’ve acquired over 3,330 packs of non-standard cards, mainly from North America, UK and Western Europe, and of course from Russia and the former communist countries.
Following my retirement from the Bodleian Library in Dec. 2007 I took up a new role as Head of Library Development at the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) to support library development in low-income countries. This work necessitated regular training visits to many sub-Saharan African countries and also further afield, to Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh – all of which provided rich opportunities to further expand my playing card collection.
Since 2019 I’ve been working part-time in the Bodleian Library where I’ve been cataloguing the bequest of the late Donald Welsh, founder of the English Playing Card Society.
Related Articles
Nimbus playing cards
Mike Steer’s weather-themed pack with suits in four colours and backs for cardistry.
Hamlet Cigars
Advertising deck for “Hamlet mild cigars”, a Benson & Hedges product.
The Art of Erté
Luxury playing cards displaying artwork by Erté, published in 1983 by Sobranie of London.
Commoners playing cards
Created by Ian Cumpstey dedicated to the common land and the countryside.
Liber Ludorum
Liber Ludorum playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey in the insular style, United Kingdom, 2019.
Pike and Clover playing cards
Pike and Clover playing cards created by Ian Cumpstey, Cumbria, UK, 2018.
Inglewood Hunting Deck
Inglewood Hunting Deck created by Ian Cumpstey, United Kingdom, 2023.
B-Deck
“B-Deck” scurrilous playing cards poking fun at a former UK prime minister.
Gone to Pot: Gardener’s playing cards
‘Gone to Pot’: special playing cards for keen gardeners, United Kingdom.
Greenpeace anti-nuclear playing cards
Greenpeace anti-nuclear pack with facts and figures, United Kingdom, 2003.
Birds playing cards
Birds playing cards illustrated by Ryuto Miyake, 2019.
Axminster 100 playing cards
Special non-standard pack produced for Axminster Carpets Ltd.
Margaret Parrott playing cards
Margaret Parrott playing cards decorated with whimsical parrots, USA, c. 1997.
Packs of Prizes
‘Packs of Prizes’ playing cards advertising Neosorexa pest control products.
Island 2000 Trust
“Island 2000 Trust” sustainability project playing cards, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, c. 2005.
The Mrs. Forster Collection
Playing cards featuring original botanical paintings by Mrs. Sidney Eliza Forster from the 1890s.
Harold Samuel Collection playing cards
The Harold Samuel Collection of Dutch and Flemish seventeenth-century artworks, United Kingdom, 2012...
Agatha Christie Playing Cards
Agatha Christie playing cards produced by Planet Three Collection, United Kingdom, c. 2004.
Library Lovers
Library Lovers playing cards published by Word Nerd Games, 2016.
The Green Pack: Salisbury Plain
The Green Pack: Salisbury Plain, United Kingdom, 2004.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
