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Bicycle Club Tattoo Spread

I love tattoos. Don’t actually HAVE any of my own. But I love them. I just hate pain… Which is why the Bicycle ‘Club Tattoo’ deck of playing cards is perfect for someone like me. I watch ALL the shows. It started with Miami Ink (love Chris Garver) then LA Ink because Kat Von D left and opened up her own shop – and she does the most amazing black and grey portrait tattoos – and now I can’t get enough of Tattoo Nightmares.

For those of you who haven’t seen it, it’s a TV show based in a tattoo shop in Los Angeles, where the 3 tattoo artists – Jasmine, Big Gus and Tommy – basically cover up old, embarrassing or artistically inept tattoos of its’ customers. It’s not actually a ‘real’ shop, it’s just a front for the show, but the artists are real and the tattoos they cover up are very, VERY real….. When I think back to the different tattoos I’ve wanted over the years but my fear wouldn’t permit me to get, I am soooo relieved that I’m not having to go get cover-ups done because there’d be plenty…. Sylvester the Cat being one of them…. :/ But I digress. Back to the review. Continue reading →

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** Gory Images Alert **

Ok, I know we’re all adults here (maybe) but I had to pre-empt this review with a warning – these cards are not to everyone’s taste. But they are definitely to mine, especially when you know the story behind their design.

So, you’re still reading….? Good. I shall continue. You may get settled because this is my longest review to date.

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Pippoglyph Playing Cards Jack of Spades

I am very proud to be the owner of the First Edition of the Pippoglyph deck by Ben Crenshaw, now of Bent Castle Workshops. When my deck was printed in 2004 it was the first time I had ever seen a completely bespoke deck – not only the back but each and every card was designed from scratch. I loved that. This deck excited me and I had to have it. Continue reading →

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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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