This article is dedicated to the new set of playing cards produced by Alakazam Magic in 2013 – Bicycle Dr Jekyll Playing Cards and Bicycle Mr Hyde Playing Cards. These two decks are the set because they are connected and have the common general theme – Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. So they supplement each other and pretend to be used in combination.

Alakazam Magic is one of the longest established magic companies in the United Kingdom. They produce and sell magic tutorials, books, tricks, goods and decks of playing cards. The company is managed by Peter Nardi (a member of the Inner Magic Circle as well as a leading creator of unique magic and mentalism).

Playing cards were designed by 9780design.com specializing in designs for magicians.

Bicycle Dr Jekyll Playing Cards: 52 playing cards + 3 Jokers (2 identical and 1 with reveal) = in all 55 cards.

Bicycle Mr Hyde Playing Cards: 52 playing cards + 2 identical Jokers + 1 gaff card = in all 55 cards.

Playing cards were printed by USPCC on the Bicycle stock and have the Air-Cushion finish. Poker size. Court cards are seriously changed Bicycle standard court cards. Indices and pips are almost Bicycle standard indices and pips.

the picture of tuck cases is clickable

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is the novella written by the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson. It was first published in 1886. This novella is about a London lawyer named Gabriel John Utterson who investigates strange occurrences between his old friend Dr Henry Jekyll and the evil Edward Hyde (Mr Hyde).

Robert’s novella is commonly associated with the rare mental condition called “split personality” (referred to in psychiatry as dissociative identity disorder). In case of this condition more than one distinct personality can exist within the same body. So this happened with Dr Jekyll. He has two personalities within himself – his own good one and the opposite Mr Hyde’s evil one.

So these two personalities cause a constant battle between the good and evil within him. Dr Jekyll has spent a great part of his life trying to repress his evil side. In an attempt to mask it within his personality the doctor creates a special potion. But that doesn’t help. As time goes by, his inner demon Mr Hyde – his alter ego – grows in power. Dr Jekyll has to take the potion repetitively. But Mr Hyde grows so strong that Jekyll becomes reliant on the potion to remain conscious. The end and details you will find out from the book 😉

The novella’s impact was so strong that the phrase “Jekyll and Hyde” became a part of the English language. This phrase is used to describe a person who is vastly different in moral character from one situation to the next.

The Aces of Spades were designed to underline aforesaid “split personality” of the same person. The difference is that the ace from the Bicycle Dr Jekyll Deck demonstrates the good side of the person before his transformation while the ace from the Bicycle Mr Hyde Deck demonstrates the evil one after it.

The Ace of Spades: Bicycle Dr Jekyll Playing Cards and Bicycle Mr Hyde Playing Cards

clickable

Backgrounds of playing cards were changed for both decks. Bicycle Dr Jekyll playing cards don’t have traditional Bicycle white backgrounds. They are a little bit darker. Backgrounds of Bicycle Mr Hyde playing cards have an aged look with some kind of blood stains.

The Ace of Hearts: Bicycle Dr Jekyll Deck – Bicycle Standard Deck – Bicycle Mr Hyde Deck

The Ace of Clubs: Bicycle Dr Jekyll Deck – Bicycle Standard Deck – Bicycle Mr Hyde Deck

The Ace of Diamonds: Bicycle Dr Jekyll Deck – Bicycle Standard Deck – Bicycle Mr Hyde Deck

Indices use the same font and pips use the same shapes as Bicycle standard indices and pips do. But they are smaller. Red colour is darker than Bicycle standard red colour (in both decks). Bicycle Mr Hyde playing cards have lighter red pips than Bicycle Dr Jekyll playing cards. Black pips are traditionally black.

The Ten of Clubs: Bicycle Dr Jekyll Deck – Bicycle Standard Deck – Bicycle Mr Hyde Deck

Bicycle Dr Jekyll Playing Cards: Tens

Bicycle Mr Hyde Playing Cards: Tens