University of Essex
A deck of cards produced for the University of Essex in around 2005-2006.
A deck of cards was produced for the University of Essex in around 2005-2006. The cards are slightly large and include a third joker with dates for applications. The back of the box lists open day dates in 2006, contact details, and a list of the degree courses offered by the University - including “space hopping”. The University of Essex give out these packs to visiting school children as part of their marketing strategy, and “space hopping” is NOT a degree course offered, but rather was slipped in as a joke. Each ace has the same picture, in keeping with the courts and two jokers which are likewise the same. See the box→
Addendum from Peter Burnett
Interestingly, the University of Essex produced a similar pack one year earlier. The back of the box lists open day dates in 2005, while the extra card gives information about the University application process for 2005-2006. While the Jokers, Aces, Jacks and Queens show the same images as the later pack (shown above), the Kings have a different image. The image on the card backs and the box shows the same image as that which appears on the Kings on the later edition. See the box►
Above: earlier edition of University of Essex playing cards. Images courtesy Peter Burnett.
By Matt Probert
Member since March 02, 2012
I have adored playing cards since before I was seven years old, and was brought up on packs of Waddington's No 1. As a child I was fascinated by the pictures of the court cards.
Over the next fifty years I was seduced by the artwork in Piatnik's packs and became a collector of playing cards.
Seeking more information about various unidentified packs I discovered the World of Playing Cards website and became an enthusiastic contributor researching and documenting different packs of cards.
I describe my self as a playing card archaeologist, using detective work to identify and date obscure packs of cards discovered in old houses, flea markets and car boot sales.
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