The World of Playing Cards Logo

National Playing Cards by Theory11

Published June 16, 2022 Updated June 22, 2022

Playing cards inspired by mysterious symbolism of secret societies as well as a tribute to the National Playing Card Co.

2019 USA Studio on Fire Theory11 United States Playing Card Co. Adam Moore Luxury Symbols

Above: plastic seal which continues the theme of symbolism, including a skull, dagger, eye and stars, with the text "seek" and "find, as well as "expose cheaters" and "have fun, don't lie. See the seal on the box.

Buy National Playing Cards by Theory11 on Amazon Buy Now

Artist and entrepreneur Adam Moor (also known as Harold Apples) collaborated with Theory11 and Studio on Fire to produce this ultra-intricate deck of luxury playing cards in 2019. Moor considers himself a nighttime illustrator for projects of all sorts, and spends his days as an Art Director for Lonely Planet.

On the production of the deck, Moor says "originally I was planning on producing a deck on my own. I started approaching letterpress studios who were making decks and I stumbled upon Studio on Fire who produces all of the tuck cases for Theory11".

Theory11 adds "each tuck case is embossed and detailed with striking gold and black foil, inside and out" and "you will not find a more perfect deck of cards for magic, cardistry or poker."

The courts and aces have fully custom designs, and the number cards also have flourishes. The deck has gold inks throughout the artwork, enhancing the retro style artwork.

Moor explains "I had been playing around with this flat, sort of retro, very textured illustration style. Over time the deck morphed into a secret society tribute. I got obsessed with working in a ridiculous amount of symbology to basically make the Illuminati’s official deck of cards.

About halfway through the process, Moor says "we decided to name the deck National as a tribute to the long gone National Playing Card Company that produced beautiful decks until the late 1800’s".

we really went above and beyond with this one, using lots of gold foil and multiple inks on all of the card designs.

Theory11 focuses on the production of luxury decks such as Monarchs and film franchises such as Marvel's Avengers.

There are 56 cards in the deck: 52 playing cards, 2 jokers, 2 gaff cards. The gaff cards serve as advertisements for Theory11, with their slogan "the ultimate high-end luxury playing cards". See the gaffs .

Above: the front of the box. Printed on thick black stock, letterpressed with gold foil.

Above: the back of the box.

Top Row: the ace of spades, joker and the back. Bottom Row: aces illustrated in a retro style.

References

avatar
154 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.


Leave a Reply

Default Avatar
Your Name
Just now

Create account to comment Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here. Your comment here.


Related Articles

2021 Junior Playing Cards

Junior Playing Cards

Child-friendly versions of standard English pattern cards designed by Louie Mantia, Jr.

2018 Santo Mexico playing cards

Santo Mexico playing cards

Santo Mexico playing cards designed by Cédric Volon with Mexico-associated symbols.

2021 Last Call Cats playing cards

Last Call Cats playing cards

Bar-crawling cats, designed by artists Arna Miller and Ravi Zupa.

2006 Covered bridges playing cards

Covered bridges playing cards

Historical covered bridges with photography by Bill Miller, 2006.

1981 Motherpeace Round Tarot

Motherpeace Round Tarot

An original and imaginative feminist tarot based on Goddess energy.

1986 Victorian playing cards

Victorian playing cards

54 different card designs including people, animals, flowers, costumes and ornaments popular during ...

1980 Crown Hill playing cards

Crown Hill playing cards

Crown Hill playing cards with illustrations by Corrine Guiney, USA,

1974 O-Shlemiel card game

O-Shlemiel card game

O-Shlemiel card game with Yiddish words and phrases.

2024 Hesslers Four-Colour “No Revoke” Deck

Hesslers Four-Colour “No Revoke” Deck

Hesslers Maiden Back Four-Colour “No Revoke” Deck, with enhanced visibility and a traditional look. ...

2011 The Heart Deck™

The Heart Deck™

Useful information about heart health on every card.

1996 Star Trek® – The Original Series

Star Trek® – The Original Series

Promotional pack for CIC Video with characters and starships from the original series of Star Trek. ...

1973 Colonial Art

Colonial Art

A collection of 53 pieces of art showcasing detailed scenes from early American colonial life.

2012 Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom

Crafted by Hatch Design and benefitting the World Wildlife Fund, animal heads replace the traditiona...

Classification of Numeral Card Designs in French-suited packs

Classification of Numeral Card Designs in French-suited packs

The classification of numeral cards in French-suited packs, covering various pip designs in over 400...

2023 Warner Bros 100<sup>th</sup> Anniversary

Warner Bros 100th Anniversary

An array of famous characters from Warner Bros films in celebration of the company’s centenary.

1983 The Art of Erté

The Art of Erté

Luxury playing cards displaying artwork by Erté, published in 1983 by Sobranie of London.