When I started collecting modern playing cards, I was desperate to find a resource that showcased the amazing artwork and design elements of the decks that were on the market. While the online stores had some imagery, most of the time it was focused on the tucks and not the cards themselves. So, I began to create “Deck Sheets” from my collection, using my experience as a photographer and graphic designer to develop clean and complete presentations of each deck that entered my shelves.
FACE UP
After three years, the collection has risen to around 450 decks, and each has a corresponding Deck Sheet — a sampling worthy of a museum gallery of its own. I’ve posted many of the Deck Sheets on my social media, but I wanted to find a way to share the amazing artwork with other enthusiasts so that they could learn and appreciate decks that haven’t crossed their paths yet.
Face Up is my solution — an Anthology of Modern Playing Card Decks, in PDF format and available for download on this page.
FACE UP will be updated on a bi-annual basis (in November and May of each year), and will grow as a cumulative volume. Sorted by creators, designers, and producers, you’ll have an opportunity to peruse the artwork and technical stylings of hundreds of decks from dozens of artists. I’ve also included a questionnaire for many of the creators / designers in the hopes that their answers may give some insights into their personalities and interests.
Creators / Designers / Producers in Volume 1
Art of Play
Ritu Bhattacharya
Bicycle
Bona Fide Design
The Card Inn
Curio
EmilySleights52
Lonely Jokers
Midnight Cards
Montenzi Design
Oxalis Cards
Relentless Venture
Santiago Cards
Sean McMagic
Stockholm 17
Ade Suryana
Thirdway Industries
Vanishing Inc.
and more!
Dollars or Decks
Support the FACE UP project, if it suits your fancy!
Though the FACE UP Anthology is free to download, there are costs that go into its development and maintenance — not to mention the acquisition of new decks to add. If you are interested in helping to grow the Anthology by either donating dollars or decks, we would be most appreciative!
All donated funds will go directly to the enhancement and growth of FACE UP — each volume release will include a report page of donations and their donors.
If you’re interested in donating sealed or lightly opened/viewed decks, please feel free to ship them to:
Lonely Jokers Playing Cards
P.O.Box 7
Kent City, MI 49330
To see what Deck Sheets have already been created (including those awaiting Artwork Releases from the copyright owners), click HERE.
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The Download
Click on the button below to begin your download. This will take you to a Google Drive folder from which you can download the full PDF file.
