We have already devoted several articles to some decks produced by the Dan & Dave Playing Card Company (D&D). As it was said in the article about Fulton’s Clip Joint Playing Cards, the company generally produces playing cards; accessories for magic and card manipulations; books and videos dedicated to those fields of activity. Sometimes they take part in some big projects (“OUR MAGIC“).

This time we are going to say several words about (and to show several pictures of) another deck produced by D&D in 2011 – Fantastique Playing Cards. It is inspired by the apparatus of magic‘s golden age and the automatons of Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin.

This deck was designed by the Ukrainian artist Sveta Dorosheva (currently based in Israel). She is a freelance illustrator working in the areas of narrative illustration and art for books.

Playing cards were printed by USPCC on casino cardboard (Magic Finish) and have poker size. The deck includes: 52 playing cards + 2 Jokers + 2 blank cards. The Ace of Spades, Jokers and backs are custom with unique illustrations. All other playing cards in this deck are standard (recoloured) Bicycle playing cards.

The tuck case is clickable

“Never before has the mystique of magic been showcased on a deck of cards like this. A wonderful tribute to the art and a fun addition to your collection.” ~ D&D

As it was said, the deck is inspired by the automatons of Robert-Houdin. But I think that this deck is some kind of compromise between brothers and the illustrator 🙂 . Dan and Dave wanted to dedicate these playing cards to the appropriate magic’s golden age. Sveta (being less involved in history of magic) saw this deck as playing cards devoted to antique circus theme.

clickable

That is why you can see such a beautiful and cheerful mess of a travelling circus on the front part of the tuck case, the harlequin on the flap, harlequins on the “typographic Joker” and some other small elements connected with circus theme.

At the same time the second “raven Joker”, the Ace of Spades, the back part of the tuck case and all backs are dedicated to the appropriate period of magic history. As well as a hat used as a background for the front part of the tuck case. Where is a rabbit? 🙂

“Typographic Joker” + “Raven Joker”

(clickable)

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FANTASTIQUE DECK – JOKERS

There were several variants for the “raven Joker”:

clickable

I think that the final result is very nice (with fully custom court cards could be amazing ;)). But who was that Robert-Houdin whose impact on this deck is indisputable and so strong?

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