The UCR Deck
Giant-size cards designed by Thomas Sanders to advertise courses and facilities at UCR.
There are many reasons why this pack is unusual and perhaps unique: the cards are giant size, printed in red and black only, have 54 different backs and use old English faces for the courts. The pack was designed by Thomas H. Sanders, Publications Manager at the University of California/Riverside. The aim was to advertise the courses and facilities offered by the university to aspiring students in a novel manner. Most of the cards have information on both sides but with no uniformity of style. One curious card is the King of Clubs: he is identical to the Jack of Clubs except for the addition of a moustache and an attempt at a crown! Perhaps the original pack from which the court card designs were taken lacked the King of Clubs and so the Jack was suitably adapted. One wonders whether this pack helped to boost admissions! See the box
Above: the UCR Deck published by the University of California/Riverside, CA, USA, c1972. 52 cards + 2 Jokers in tuck box. Size: 121 x 172 mm. Printer unknown, the cards are flimsy and see-through, i.e., not on proper playing-card board.
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
Related Articles
National Gallery of Art
Fifty-three masterpieces from the collections of the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
German Travel Cards
A travel-themed educational deck helping American tourists visiting Germany.
The Heart Deck™
Useful information about heart health on every card.
Hummingbirds of the Americas
Colour photographs of hummingbirds with data about each species to aid recognition.
Safety playing cards
Safety playing cards designed to reinforce the “Think and Be Safe” concept.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! playing cards
Strange facts from Robert Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not’ books, in the form of cartoons.
Card Tricks
Stereotypical representations of gay men and men they most admire, in a 1981 pack from San Francisco...
52 Ways to talk about adoption
‘52 Ways to talk about adoption’ family-centred playing cards produced by the Center for Adoption Su...
UMass Amherst Libraries
UMass Amherst Libraries playing cards, USA, 2016
Red & White Wine playing cards
Red & White Wine playing cards published by Inkstone Design, USA, 2003.
Life playing cards: tobacco education
‘Life playing cards: tobacco education’ anti-smoking deck, USA, 2003.
Death on Drugs
Death on Drugs playing cards, United States, 1985.
Knot playing cards
Knot playing cards intended to teach a variety of useful and interesting knots, USA, 2000.
Flickers playing cards
Stills from MGM films from the golden age of Hollywood.
The Times of Kamehameha The Great
Figures from Hawaiian history and scenes of everyday life designed by Joseph Feher.
Reagan’s Rogues Gallery
A pack inspired by the Iran-Contra affair or Gipper-gate during the Reagan era, produced by R. Billi...
The Great Indoors
“The Great Indoors” playing cards published by DesignWorks Ink, Nashville, USA, 2021.
Gas Shortages
Screenprint designs on an ever-topical subject, designed and made by Sallie Chinkes, 1979.
Helmsley Hotels
Publicity pack for the Harley and Helmsley Hotels, U.S.A., c.1986.
National Geographic: Weird But True
National Geographic: “Weird But True” kids fun fact playing cards, 2014.
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
