Mythological Zoo

In 1971, illustrator Dick Martin created this incredible deck for the twentieth anniversary of the Chicago Playing Card Collectors club (Martin had previously made the Fact & Fancy deck for the club’s tenth anniversary). According to the title card , one hundred copies, hand-colored and signed by Martin, were issued. Later, two hundred copies of a second, uncolored, edition were made.

Martin’s interest in and love of mythology is clear: the deck’s accompanying brochure even includes a bibliography. In Martin’s words: “All the Fabulous Beasts I have depicted are “authentic.” That is, all their anatomical details are carefully reproduced from old engravings, and photographs of ancient sculptures. In cases where two or more different representations were found, the most fantastic one was chosen – of course!”

Mythology compilations often focus on Europe with a little bit of the rest of the world thrown in at the end. One of the things I love about this deck is that Martin made it truly international. The beasts are divided by suit: spades are from ancient Greece and Rome; hearts are from ancient Egypt and the Near East; clubs are from India and the Far East; and Diamonds are from medieval Europe and the New World. The illustrations are evocative of old woodcuts, with the Joker being a jovial Mephistopheles and the backs and card box bearing “the amphysian dragon, as pictured in an English 12th century bestiary.” The cards are printed on what resembles stock paper which makes this deck more for collecting than playing.