Grateful Dead playing cards no. 3
A pack celebrating the long strange trip it’s been.
At least three vintage Grateful Dead decks with skeletal courts have been made. The third one, shown here, is from 1998, was published by Grateful Dead Productions, and features artwork by Michael R. Everett, according to an accompanying extra card
Skeletons and roses in classic surreal Grateful Dead style compose the courts, which retain elements of the international pattern like the Suicide King (whose sword is fully penetrating his head) and One-Eyed Jacks. All the aces have illustrations, with the Ace of Spades bearing a wheel. Interestingly enough, while there is a broken wheel in the rich repertoire of Dead symbols, the wheel on the ace is whole.
![Grateful Dead playing cards by Michael R. Everett [3rd vintage deck], 1998](images/countries/usa/anonymous/grateful-dead-everett-1.jpg "Grateful Dead playing cards by Michael R. Everett [3rd vintage deck], 1998")
![Grateful Dead playing cards by Michael R. Everett [3rd vintage deck], 1998](images/countries/usa/anonymous/grateful-dead-everett-2.jpg "Grateful Dead playing cards by Michael R. Everett [3rd vintage deck], 1998")
![Grateful Dead playing cards by Michael R. Everett [3rd vintage deck], 1998](images/countries/usa/anonymous/grateful-dead-everett-3.jpg "Grateful Dead playing cards by Michael R. Everett [3rd vintage deck], 1998")
Grateful Dead playing cards illustrated by Michael R. Everett and published by Grateful Dead Productions [3rd vintage deck], 1998.
Each suit’s pip cards are stylized, yet easy to recognize. Additionally, each suit has a specific design on the tops and bottoms of the pip cards. Motley-wearing skulls serve as jokers. The backs contain a Daliesque pair of skulls while the tuck box is home to the iconic Bertha skeleton (which was not drawn by Everett).
By Lev Golinkin
United States • Member since May 26, 2026
I'm a US-based author and journalist. I've been collecting playing cards since I was about 8 years old, when I got mesmerized by the various decks that were used in Soviet Ukraine, where I'm from. I collect mainly European decks such as those by Dondorf, Grimaud, and Piatnik. I love courts above all else, and am drawn toward historical and artistic decks.
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