Pressers playing cards
Pressers playing cards with illustrations by Aaron Johnson printed by USPCC for Ellusionist in 2014.
In 2013 Anderson Design Group was approached by Ellusionist, a company that makes playing cards for magicians, to create a vintage deck of cards based in 60s advertising. The resulting pack was printed by USPCC in 2014. See the box►
Inspired by the hit TV series Madmen, illustrator Aaron Johnson came up with this non-standard retro 60s vintage design pack. The back of the cards features a simple design filled with small, white dots against a teal green background. The court cards are fully customized, portraying women and men drinking and smoking, and all cards have a customised font. The hearts and diamond suits are in burnt orange rather than red. There are two additional advertising cards.
Above: Pressers playing cards with illustrations by Aaron Johnson printed by USPCC for Ellusionist in 2014.
By Peter Burnett
United Kingdom • Member since July 27, 2022 • Contact
I graduated in Russian and East European Studies from Birmingham University in 1969. It was as an undergraduate in Moscow in 1968 that I stumbled upon my first 3 packs of “unusual” playing cards which fired my curiosity and thence my life-long interest. I began researching and collecting cards in the early 1970s, since when I’ve acquired over 3,330 packs of non-standard cards, mainly from North America, UK and Western Europe, and of course from Russia and the former communist countries.
Following my retirement from the Bodleian Library in Dec. 2007 I took up a new role as Head of Library Development at the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) to support library development in low-income countries. This work necessitated regular training visits to many sub-Saharan African countries and also further afield, to Vietnam, Nepal and Bangladesh – all of which provided rich opportunities to further expand my playing card collection.
Since 2019 I’ve been working part-time in the Bodleian Library where I’ve been cataloguing the bequest of the late Donald Welsh, founder of the English Playing Card Society.
Related Articles
Red Hat Society playing cards
Society that encourages women in their quest to get the most out of life.
Starz behind bars
Starz behind bars playing cards with mug shots of the rich and famous under arrest, USA, 2003.
Star Wars: a New Hope
‘Star Wars: a New Hope’ playing cards to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film Star Wars, USA, ...
New York City souvenir
New York City souvenir playing cards with 53 different views of interest, USA, 1915.
Nation’s capital souvenir playing cards
Nation’s capital souvenir playing cards published by the United States Playing Card Company, USA, 19...
Nile Fortune cards
Nile Fortune cards no.68x published by the United States Playing Card Company, USA, 1904.
Bicycle EveRydAy zomBIES
Bicycle “EveRydAy zomBIES” playing cards with artwork by Rob Sacchetto, USA, 2013.
Bicycle Flight playing cards
Bicycle Flight ‘Airplane’ and ‘Airship’ playing cards, homage to aviation, 2014.
Hooray for Hollywood
‘Hooray for Hollywood’ movie star playing cards produced by Parody Productions, USA, 2006.
X-Men Playing Cards
A Nostalgic Dive into the Marvellous World of X-Men
Knot playing cards
Knot playing cards intended to teach a variety of useful and interesting knots, USA, 2000.
Hawaiian Souvenir playing cards
Hawaiian Souvenir playing cards, 1901.
Monarchs Playing Cards by Theory11
Monarchs luxury playing cards by Theory11, featured in the film Now You See Me.
Breaking Bad Playing Cards
“Breaking Bad” fan deck designed by Albino Dragon and manufactured by the USPCC in 2014.
Toy Story 3
Animated playing cards featuring full colour illustrations of the Toy Story 3 characters.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley playing cards published by The United States Playing Card Company, c.2002.
Star Wars Episode 1
“STAR WARS Episode 1” playing cards printed by U.S. Playing Card Co., c.1999
No.500 Playing Cards
No.500 Playing Cards published by U.S.P.C.C., c.1910
Norwood #85, c.1909
The deck features a colourful Ace of Spades and Joker, decorated Aces, unique courts and two beautif...
The United States Playing Card Company
Over the years the pressures of competition and other market forces have led to many smaller manufac...
Most Popular
Our top articles from the past 60 days
