Hand-drawn playing cards by Luke Tomski of Tomski & Polanski, printed by the Czech Hraci Karty (http://mycards.cz) and under the Pernowka Playing Cards brand/mark. Each deck is individually numbered (1-1,000). Bridge sized deck distributed without seal or cellophane. http://tomskipolanski.com/Highland-Fauna-Playing-Cards

Creator behind the scenes video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLVDtkJWMWU

Cards designed by four different artists having formed the group 'Werkstatt Rixdorfer Drucke' in Berlin. The name means something like 'Workshop Prints from Rixdorf', and Rixdorf is the district of Berlin where they lived and worked. Each artist has designed the court cards of one suit: Clubs: Ali Schindehütte Spades: Uwe Bremer Hearts: Arno Waldschmidt Diamonds: Johannes Vennekamp Visit: http://www.endebrock.de/coll/pages/d2015.html (This is where this text is copied from. And also, there are pictures of the cards)

Neue Nürnberger Spielkartenfabrik Heinrich Schwarz & Co, Nürnberg, 1987 Design: Uwe Bremer / Arno Waldschmidt / Johannes Vennekamp / Ali Schindehuette (= Werkstatt Rixdorfer Drucke) 60 x 90 mm, 32 cards Produced for: Tecta Import, Düsseldorf Smaller version of the deck from 1968

In the 1940s André Breton and a group of his Surrealist friends (Wifredo Lam, Max Ernst, Jacqueline Lamba, Oscar Dominguez, Victor Brauner, Jacques Hérold, André Masson and Frédéric Delanglade) were stranded in the French port of Marseilles whilst attempting to escape Nazi-occupied Europe and gain passage to America. Having deconstructed traditional, bourgeois playing card symbolism they produced new, liberated designs expressing their own beliefs and values. The court cards were persons representing new, revolutionary ideals. As Breton was a Communist, the conventional court hierarchy denoting military power and rank was unacceptable: these were re-named Genius, Siren and Magus... Having deconstructed traditional playing card designs, Breton wanted a thorough reinvention along Surrealist principles. The suits were renamed: Locks (black) for knowledge, Wheels (red) for revolution, Stars (black) for dreams and Flames (red) for love and desire. Surrealist ideas inspired many young artists to move away from conventional views of artistic composition towards abstract expressionism. The “Jeu de Marseille” was eventually produced as a full deck of cards (with the original sketches being reworked slightly) in 1983 and has been reprinted several times. From: https://www.wopc.co.uk/france/grimaud/le-jeu-de-marseille

Dalí created these designs for the Ace, King, Queen and Jack of each suit plus a Joker which were also produced as a series of limited edition art posters. Based on the standard French ‘Paris’ pattern, Dalí composed his playing card figures out of geometric shapes, like a surrealist tapestry, but retaining the traditional aspects of playing card design. Born in Figueras, Catalonia, northern Spain in 1904, Dalí became one of the most iconic painters of the 20th century. Dalí takes his place in a long line of artists who have created playing cards. There is a red and a blue version. https://www.wopc.co.uk/spain/salvador-dali

On unitedcardists.com Räpylätassu has this post with info and pictures: https://unitedcardists.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=17263&p=194530&hilit=nbc#p194530

The stunning "Sheba" cards, made by Brown & Bigelow and published by Omega Concepts, Ltd., c.1972. The designs of the court cards are by Brent Bailer, an African-American artist, active in advertising. The Kings depict Askia the Great, Emperor of Songhay c.1442-1539 A.D.; the Queens portray Makeda, Queen of Ethiopia and Sheba c.1,000-950 B.C. (the "Queen of Sheba"); and the Jacks depict Hannibal, the Immortal Carthaginian General c.247 B.C.-183 B.C. This is the first edition with a beautiful back (red or black) inspired by African pattern — and with wacky colours on the court cards, as opposed to the newer version from 1996.

Made by African American Co in Whittier, Cal. Printed in 1973

1950’s Pinup deck, Gil Elvgren’s, 52 American Beauties. All 52 cards feature a different and famous pieces of American Pinup artwork. You will recognize many of the images on these cards as they’ve been used in pop culture constantly. This deck was made by Stancraft.

Printed in the U.S., published by Don Celender for the Greenwich Art Company. Each card shows the head of an artist inserted on the body of an American football player. Mostly American artists.

The first edition of this two-deck set was released in 1948. It can be distinguished from future editions in that the individual deck box is labeled "53 cards" and the suit symbols on all court cards are shown in full.

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.

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’.

Original German deck published in 1889 as "Whist No. 260" by Vereinigte Stralsunder Spielkarten Fabrik. This reproduction set of two decks by ASS has also been released as "Jugendstil".

Woodcut art first produced in 1952, this deck is smaller (poker-size) produced in 1958.

Printed by Grimaud c.1976, "Les Grands Navigateurs. The cards feature wonderful original designs on the backs, Jokers, Aces and court cards by artist Jean Delpech that depict famous figures concerned with navigation, both real (Columbus, Magellan, Drake, etc.), and mythological (Neptune, Amphitrite), and famous places (Cape Horn, Indian Ocean). Included is a folded insert describing the persons and places shown.

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