University of Essex

Several decks of playing cards were produced for the University of Essex during the period 2005-2007. In the first one, 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.

Note from Roddy Somerville

Here is a third University of Essex pack, dated 2007 on the box, with different courts from the previous two, again the same in each suit. There are two identical Jokers and one extra card with text. The card size is 63 x 100 mm. • See the box