Dondorf's “Luxus-Spielkarte Vier-Erdteile”,(“Four Continents”) c.1880-1906. First published in c.1870, it has been re-published in several editions, variations and formats since then. Some were published after 1906, when the firm was re-named Dondorf GmBH. Earlier editions had square corners whilst the later editions had rounded corners. The court cards are dressed in the garb of their corresponding part of the world, as represented by the Four Aces: Spades show a Sultan, his wife and a Janissary (sultan's household troops or bodyguards). Hearts portray a Great Mogul, an Indian princess and an Indian warrior; the suit of clubs depicts the Spanish King Ferdinand, Queen Isabella and a Spanish ambassador. Diamonds illustrate the Emperor, the Empress and a mercenary soldier.

From the 'World of Playing Cards': These fantasy designs imitating late medieval costumes were published by B. Dondorf in Germany in various editions between 1889-1933 as Mittelalter No.150, 151 and 135, as either 36-card Piquet decks or 52-card Whist decks. At first there were no indices, but after 1906 corner indices were added (A, K, D, B). Usually there was no Joker. One or two of the court figures can be recognised from other Dondorf decks, for example the Queen of Diamonds holding a peacock feather or the Jack of Hearts with a falcon. This and other Dondorf packs (e.g. ‘Baronesse’) were imported and sold in England under the name ‘Unique Playing Cards’ by Edward Hamilton, later Hamilton, Hills & Co., London E.C. The designs were also copied by J.J. Nunes of Lisbon as ‘Whist No.32’.

From 'The World of Playing Cards' : Schweizer Trachten Whist No.174 (Swiss Costumes) printed by Dondorf, featuring scenic aces and traditional costumes with different views at each end. Various editions of this deck were published in chromolithography, with alternative back designs, between 1906-1933. The jacks and queens show young men and women wearing costumes of individual cantons. The four kings, with flowing beards and crowns above their suit signs, are senior officials from the four Swiss cities of Zurich, Geneva, Bern and Basel. The labels are on wavy banners, except on the aces they are angular.

52 cards, + Joker. French corner indeces (1=Ace, R=King, D=Queen, V=Jack). Courts and Aces show different characters/scenes top and bottom. Estimated year of production in mid 1920's. Link to World of Playing cards : https://www.wopc.co.uk/switzerland/la-suisse-historique

36 card piquet deck printed using chromolithography, with Aces depicting scenes from around the wotld.

From the 'World of Playing Cards' : This pack was probably the culmination of a mixture of designs from 19th century Germany which emerged as one of Dondorf's more popular house patterns by around 1900. The four Kings each have white wavy hair and beards, giving rise to the nickname “Jewish Pattern”. Its popularity was increased by its being widely used and copied by Austrian, Belgian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese and other manufacturers, some of whom created new variants. Some versions have scenic Aces (historical or geographical) which vary from pack to pack; others have plain Aces. The pattern continued to be produced after the takeover by V.A.S.S. in 1933.

From the 'World of Playing Cards' : Beautiful court cards and floral backs. The designs have clear outlines which stand out against a tinted background. The two black Jacks carry halberds; the Jack of Clubs reads “B. Dondorf” and “Frankfort a/m”. The other two Jacks are a falconer and an archer. Although the court figures are not an accurate reflection of any historical period, this deck has been nicknamed “Rococo”. The cards are slightly small by contemporary standards, measuring 85x58mm. This pattern was published between 1889-1933, at first with no Joker, which was added in 1906 along with small indices in German or English.

The court figures are based on original paintings by the illustrator John H. Bacon, who also illustrated titles such as: Pharos the Egyptian (as serialized in the Windsor Magazine in 1898), The Marriage of Arthur and Guinevere, Jane Eyre Illustrated. Editions with advertising backs are also known, eg Hotels of the Midland Railway. The pack also contained a Joker showing a jester playing a guitar and riding on a donkey, with the caption "Laugh! and the world laughs with you."

From 'The World of Playing Cards' : One of a series of sumptuous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express playing cards produced by B.P. Grimaud for the VSOE gift collection. The 3/4 length court cards depict people in Oriental costumes and the designs are reminiscent of Dondorf's “Vier-Erdteile” (Four Continents) deck. As it happens the deck was originally published by Grimaud in 1890 with no indices, but indices have been overlaid in the present edition.

For scans of every image: www.marytcusack.com/maryc/decks/html/Cards/DedaloApeiron.html

Kickstarter project successfully raised €45,342 with 683 backers on July 10, 2016

Custom poker size playing cards. Inspired by mythology, drawn with a sharp and modern style, printed by EPCC.

Everyone has an immortal spirit, who lives forever. The Prince of Owl has an heroic spirit. Everyone will remember his valor forever. Brave and cruel beyond limits. He's my hero, as well. The Owl King is proud, but scared. His son is risking his life. If he doesn't survive, the depths will take his soul. The Prince of Labyrinth had a short life. But his ambition will be immortal. Not wise, but brave. The King of Labyrinth is a true genius. Everything and everyone is connected to him. Yes, Traveller, he's the one. The Taurus Prince's death caused the war between Taurus and Owl. He was valiant, but another hero clouded his reputation. Taurus King will be furious for eternity. He was the most powerful man, but he couldn't do anything against a Genius and an Hero. His spouse will be forever ashamed. The God of War was watching from a distance. He wanted more violence, but his sister was keeping him busy. Love, or Wisdom? The God of Lightning is the God of Gods. Powerful, crazy and without limits. Many are his sons. The Goddess of Faith was betrayed a lot of times. But she always had vengance. Poison and snakes are her favourite weapon. The Problem was solved. Imprisoned by a genius, betrayed by his sister, killed by an hero. Now his human soul is finally free. The Solution is happy, now. She forgot everything, she stands by the God of Wine. She will be remembered as a Goddess as well.

This particular deck doesn't feature the numbered seal that can be found on Suprema decks that were pledged for by backers during the kickstarter campaign. When Thirdway Industries produces a limited deck there is usually some overproduction (2-300 extra decks usually) that are wrapped without the seal. These are occasionally sold as part of bundles, on special occasions like Black Friday, or upon request for a reduced price.

Scans of each card can be seen at http://www.marytcusack.com/maryc/decks/html/Cards/DedaloOmega.html

Kickstarter project successfully raised €45,342 with 683 backers on July 10, 2016

Custom poker size playing cards. Inspired by mythology, drawn with a sharp and modern style, printed by EPCC.

The problem is solved. The Sun has arisen. Someone is imprisoned in its own Labyrinth. And the hero will betray his Love.

The God of Wine is watching. And he’s having fun. In the end, he will have the Princess. The Goddess of Wisdom is sad. She protects heroes, but she’s disappointed. Too much blood, too much betrayal. The God of Sun is beautiful and hot. He will destroy everyone that will go close to him. The Owl Queen raised her son alone. She told him he’s a son of a King. And if he was the son of a God? The Taurus Royal family lost three sons. Two murdered, one kidnapped. They are preparing for vengance, but it's worthless. She betrayed her brother. Her lover betrayed her. Both of them are suffering, because the same hero.

When Thirdway Industries produces a limited deck there is usually some overproduction (2-300 extra decks usually) that are wrapped without the seal. These are occasionally sold as part of bundles, on special occasions like Black Friday, or upon request for a reduced price.

Three new custom decks of the Omnia Series by Thirdway Industries, designed by Giovanni Meroni and proudly printed by Expert Playing Cards Co. with Classic Finish. 

Based on the ancestors of the first Omnia, these decks will throw you in the Golden Age of the Omnia universe, full of treasures, heroes and war. The legendary, remote past of the Omnia Universe, full of God and Heroes. When everything started. 

• EPCC Dark brown and gold Stardust Paper tuck box  
• Double foil on tuck box, Red and Gold
• Dark background on faces 
• 2 metallic inks on faces, bronze and gold
• Limited Edition ( < 1000 decks printed )
• Custom numbered seal Magnifica is printed mainly for Kickstarter backers. There are 875 decks available on Kickstarter, and I will use the others for personal use and replacements. If some decks are unsold, I'll put them for sale on my http://www.thirdway.it. website at a very high price. Get them now, you won't regret it. Omnia Magnifica is available only in special rewards who include 2 or more Omnia: The Golden Age "unlimited" decks (Antica, or, if Perduta is unlocked, split between Antica + Perduta). 

• Omnia Magnifica hearts, Egyptian. The King is inspired by a divine Pharaoh. Spades, Persian/Babylonian. The King is inspired by a Sultan. Diamonds, Romans. The Jack is inspired by an epic Gladiator, and the King is an Legatus. Clubs, Greek. The King is a blind Prophet, that can see future. The Jack is his personal guard. Queen of Spades is a warrior of the desert, and needs a cloak to protect herself. The Queen of Clubs is a Phytia, an epic warrior priestess who protect the Island of the Sun. Jokers are very important for this deck. They are Sole, the God of the Sun, and Luna, the Goddess of the Moon. Luna's mask is on the tuck box front and Sole's masks are on the back. The powerful queens of two distant empires in war. I consider Omnia Magnifica as my most baroque deck so far.

Scans of each card can be seen at www.marytcusack.com/maryc/decks/html/Cards/Pantheon.html

Custom poker size playing cards. Inspired by mythology, drawn with a sharp and modern style, printed by EPCC with foil on backs. Pantheon is a limited deck from Thirdway Industries, with a luxurious tuck box and gold foil on card backs. I consider it a spin off of Dedalo, and all the court cards are Greek Gods. Tuck box Features: Dark matte paper Embossing Double foil outside, Gold and Violet Red inner foil Numbered custom seal (1-1777) Card Features: 2 Metallic inks on faces, bright gold and bright violet Fully custom: courts, aces, back, box - everything redesigned Gold foil on the backs Limited - 1777 / around 1500 available through Kickstarter NEW - 55 cards (extra joker included)

Pantheon Caelum is the luxury, gilded edition of the new edition of Pantheon.

Features:

Blue Gilding

Premium tuckbox with 2 layers of foil (blue and holographic)

Embossing

Inner foil

56 cards, with 4 jokers

Metallic inks on cards

Printed by USPCC

800 made

Sealed and numbered

The white background and the classic colors on cards made this deck perfect to play with.

Pantheon Azure is the new edition of the original Pantheon, with redesigned courts on white background.

Features:

56 cards, with 4 jokers

Metallic inks on tuckbox

Metallic inks on cards

Printed by USPCC

Around 1700 made

The white background and the classic colors on cards made this deck perfect to play with. Full Deck Scan: https://cardscans.piwigo.com/index?/category/682-pantheon

Eva Noire is based on the first edition of Eva, with a completely restructured color scheme that include 4 different metallic inks (green, red, gold and pure silver) and a black background.

However, this is not just a color swap: all the courts are redesigned!

4 different Metallic inks on cards

Black Background

J,Q,K cards are women

4 Jokers

It’s suggested for mature audience, includes some nudity.

Eva Celeste is the 2022 version of Eva, printed by LPCC with holographic foil on front and back of the cards.

Features:

• Blue background on cards
• Custom tuckbox with premium paper, a layer of blue foil and embossing
• Limited edition (1500)
• Sealed and numbered
• Printed by LPCC
• Different artwork compared to Eva Noire and Eva Original

Eva Splendida is the 2022 version of Eva, printed by LPCC with gold foil on front and back of the cards! Features: Gold foil on front and back of the cards! Violet background on cards Custom tuckbox with premium paper, a layer of blue foil and embossing. Limited edition (1500) Sealed and numbered Printed by LPCC J,Q,K cards are women Different artwork compared to Eva Noire and Eva Original