The World of Playing Cards Logo
Published January 15, 2014 Updated November 24, 2023

Different Playing Cards by Teach By Magic

Instead of the usual ace of spades, or a seven of diamonds, this pack has a "spade of aces" and a "diamond of sevens"; meaning that the spade is made up of aces using a typographic and illustrative style.

2014 USA United States Playing Card Co. Bicycle Brian Daniel South Nike Kickstarter Add to Collection

This pack created by Brian Daniel South, director of Teach by Magic, has a unique concept where instead of the usual ace of spades the card is a "spade of aces"; meaning that the spade is made up of aces using a typographic and illustrative style.

Each card has been individually designed, containing hidden symbols and interesting typographical flourishes.

Background Information & Inspiration

I have been developing this deck for nearly 8 years. I worked with several artists until about a year ago when I found Nike, an artist from Florida, who could finally bring what I have seen in my mind all these years to life. For the last ten months we have worked closely together deciding what would go into each and every card.
Every dot, every swirl, every language, and every hidden item was placed where it was placed with thought and purpose.
The more you look at a card and the more you look for hidden elements, the more you will find - things like ambigrams and words sharing letters, like the "T" in one word making an "X" in another.
There are over 100 different languages and numeric systems represented in this deck, plus there is symbolism and imagery in each card as well (an ant on a queen, or a toy jack on a jack, or an 8 ball on an 8, and so on). There are some really fun things in subjects ranging from science and math, to history and mythology.

Brian is funding the pack through a Kickstarter campaign, visit the campaign page for more images and details.

Brian has also revealed to me something special for the readers of the World of Playing Cards, the $37 Hope Sticker pledge is actually a secret backer level, those who pledge the $37 don't only get just a sticker but they will be sent two of every deck the project produces! This means potentially four or six packs if some of the higher stretch goals are met.

avatar
149 Articles

By Adam Wintle

Member since March 15, 1997

Adam has been involved in developing the site as well as reviewing new decks and conducting research. He is particularly interested in innovation, Kickstarter and East Asian cards. He is a member of the IPCS and webmaster of the EPCS.


Related Articles

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Hearts

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Hearts 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Queen of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Queen of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

Woodblock and Stencil Jack of Clubs

A limited edition art print of the Jack of Clubs 1984 woodblock joker.

Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds

Woodblock and Stencil King of Diamonds

A limited edition art print of the King of Diamonds 1984 woodblock joker.

2015 Mardi Gras playing cards

Mardi Gras playing cards

Mardi Gras playing cards illustrated by Dave Edgerly, USA, 2015

2016 Romeo and Juliet playing cards

Romeo and Juliet playing cards

Romeo and Juliet playing cards illustrated by Belgian artist Virginie Carquin 2016.

1979 Morgan-Greer Tarot

Morgan-Greer Tarot

Based on the knowledge, wisdom and interpretation of Paul Foster Case and Arthur Edward Waite.

2013 Jane Austen playing cards

Jane Austen playing cards

Jane Austen playing cards published by Prospero Art, USA, 2013.

75: Early American cards

75: Early American cards

An overview of some of the early cards made in the United States.

Fox Lake Playing Cards

Fox Lake Playing Cards

A Magician’s Perspective.

2019 Murphy Varnish pack

Murphy Varnish pack

Reproduction of the 1883 Murphy Varnish transformation pack, USA, 2019

1996 New Palladini Tarot

New Palladini Tarot

“The New Palladini Tarot” by David Palladini published by U.S. Games Inc., in 1996.

1970 The Aquarian Tarot Deck

The Aquarian Tarot Deck

The Aquarian Tarot Deck illustrated by David Palladini, published by Morgan Press, Inc., 1970.

2019 Pendleton playing cards

Pendleton playing cards

Pendleton playing cards inspired by indigenous American artwork, USA, 2019.

2015 Aztec Codex playing cards

Aztec Codex playing cards

Aztec Codex playing cards illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra, USA, ©2015.

1967 Linweave Tarot

Linweave Tarot

The Linweave Tarot is actually an elaborate set of paper samples from the Pulp, Paper and Board Divi...

2017 Map of the world in full bloom

Map of the world in full bloom

Map of the world in full bloom, USA, 2017

2017 Know your deplorables

Know your deplorables

Photographs of political and media figures associated with the Presidency of Donald Trump (2017-2021...

2003 Historic Early Aviation

Historic Early Aviation

Reproductions of cigarette cards from 1910 on the subject of the early days of aviation.

1994 The Age of Dinosaurs playing cards

The Age of Dinosaurs playing cards

Dinosaurs from different ages and locations, with artwork by Virginijus Poshkus.

2020 3-D Dino Cards

3-D Dino Cards

Lenticular images of different, unnamed dinosaurs on all-plastic cards.

2019 Tarot of the Unknown

Tarot of the Unknown

Inspired by the Halloween Cartoon “Over the Garden Wall”.

1991 Dino Deck playing cards

Dino Deck playing cards

A different dinosaur for each of the four suits, two printed in red and two in blue.

2020 Eclipse Comic playing cards (reproduction)

Eclipse Comic playing cards (reproduction)

Eclipse Comic playing cards is a reproduction of the first transformation pack printed in the USA in...

2018 Old West Guns

Old West Guns

Old West Guns playing cards containing information about firearms from the Old West, USA.

1993 Centennial Olympic Games playing cards

Centennial Olympic Games playing cards

Centennial Olympic Games playing cards celebrating the centenary of the modern Olympic Games, 1896-1...

1997 Y-ME playing cards

Y-ME playing cards

Works by 54 American artists in aid of a breast cancer charity.

2015 Malam playing cards

Malam playing cards

Malam playing cards created by Michael Muldoon, USA, 2015.

2015 Kings of India playing cards

Kings of India playing cards

Kings of India playing cards depicting the four greatest dynasties of India.

2017 Netter playing cards

Netter playing cards

Anatomical playing cards published by Elsevier, USA, 2017.

2007 Star Wars: a New Hope

Star Wars: a New Hope

‘Star Wars: a New Hope’ playing cards to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film Star Wars, USA, ...

2023 Moorish Deck

Moorish Deck

Review of “Trzes’ Moorish Deck” facsimile published by Ulrich Kaltenborn, Berlin, 2023.

1953 American President Lines

American President Lines

American President Lines shipping souvenir playing cards, early to mid-1950s.

1978 Royal Hawaiian playing cards

Royal Hawaiian playing cards

Royal Hawaiian playing cards published by the Royal Hawaiian Playing Card Company, Honolulu.

1964 Official World’s Fair Souvenir, USA, 1964-6

Official World’s Fair Souvenir, USA, 1964-6

Official souvenir pack showing 52 coloured exhibits from the New York World’s Fair, 1964-6.

2000 Buffalo soldiers

Buffalo soldiers

“Buffalo soldiers” playing cards commemorating African American military men who helped change the f...

1933 Century of Progress

Century of Progress

‘Century of Progress’ Exposition playing cards produced by Western Playing Card Company, USA, 1933. ...

2012 Bicycle Negro League Baseball Museum

Bicycle Negro League Baseball Museum

Bicycle Negro League Baseball Museum souvenir playing cards, USA, 2012.

1915 New York City souvenir

New York City souvenir

New York City souvenir playing cards with 53 different views of interest, USA, 1915.

2021 Disney Villains Tarot Deck

Disney Villains Tarot Deck

The Disney Villains tarot deck by Insight Editions emphasises iconic villains, merging traditional t...

1925 Nation’s capital souvenir playing cards

Nation’s capital souvenir playing cards

Nation’s capital souvenir playing cards published by the United States Playing Card Company, USA, 19...

1898 California souvenir playing cards

California souvenir playing cards

California souvenir playing cards, USA, 1898 and 1907.

1996 Political Players

Political Players

Caricatures by Garth Stackhouse of American politicians involved in the 1996 presidential campaign.

1904 Nile Fortune cards

Nile Fortune cards

Nile Fortune cards no.68x published by the United States Playing Card Company, USA, 1904.