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Straight from the pits of Hell, these cards are the embodiment of ‘fire and brimstone’.

Karnival Inferno Box

The ‘Karnival Inferno’ playing cards deck by French graphic design artist Sam Hayles is one very special pack of cards. Printed on USPCC Bicycle stock – though for some reason unbranded – with their famous air flow finish, these cards are a pleasure to handle.

Each card has been meticulously designed with skulls, fire, Egyptian hieroglyphics and an ominous sense of the macabre on each one – including the pip cards. The deck has an aged look about it and the tuckcase is made to look like an old book – maybe the Devil’s naughty or nice list…? The court cards have a very unique feel in that instead of holding swords, axes, flowers, staffs and whatnot, they are each holding a pitchfork. To top off the devilish look they each have demonic red eyes too. Continue reading →

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Bicycle Karnival Renegades Artwork

Designed by renowned French artistic designer Sam Hayles, the Bicycle ‘Karnival’ series of playing cards are a must-have addition to any collectors’ stash. This deck is one of the two ‘Renegade’ packs available. The 2 decks are essentially the same in every way except for the colouring – there’s a blue deck and a purple deck. The other design in this particular series is the Karnival ‘Assassins’ – available in red and green. By mixing and matching these cards with each other or other Bicycle decks, you could create some really cool card routines. Continue reading →

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Spanish illustrator/graphic design artist Victoria Francés was a mere 22 years old when she published her first book of works entitled ‘Favole 1 – Stone Tears’ in 2003. This was followed up with ‘Favole 2 – Libera Me (Set Me Free) and Favole 3 – Frozen Light. Artwork from all three of these books is featured within this fantastic deck of playing cards.

Bicycle ‘Favole’ Playing Cards by Victoria Francés

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The Bicycle Excellence Deck by Elite Playing Cards

If it is at all possible to find playing cards ‘indulgent’ then the Bicycle Excellence Deck  embodies that. From the deep rich burgundy of the background to the gold foil on the box and the exquisite gold gradient of the card faces. Continue reading →

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Bicycle Quicksilver Deck

The Bicycle Quicksilver Playing Cards were designed by Russell W. Kercheval, creator of the Bicycle ‘Brimstone’ & ‘Americana’ decks. This was his third Kickstarter project which was successfully funded in September of 2012. The Kickstarter project itself incorporated silver embossed pack and metallic inks on the cards themselves.

If, however, like me you didn’t back the project at the time and you’re only buying the deck now, then there won’t be any embossing on the box or metallic ink on the cards, it’s more like a grey/white ink. Continue reading →

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