"SI QUAERIS INSULAM AMOENAM MAXIME, CIRCUMSPICE"

Loosely based on the state motto of Michigan this Latin phrase shows the artist's love for the island Møn, where he lives: "If you look for the most pleasant island, look around you". You'll find this phrase on the top flap of every deck. Another repeated design is the spiked circle with a cleverly designed typographical double image of Moon. You'll find it in different colours on different pips in each deck, here on the 10's.

The cards were designed in 2020 and pre-press samples can be dated to November of that year. The deck was printed by Cartamundi and was published by the artist in a numbered and signed edition of 200 decks early 2021. CM usually prints on sheets of 56 cards, so in this deck there are 2 jokers and 2 extra cards. One of the extra cards shows a simple design of a flower, representing the nature on the island. The other shows an elaborate design of a joker in a rowboat on his way to the isle of Moon. With the advertising phrase for the island it looks more like a title card. And I guess that this card was not counted, as the box mentions "52+3 poker size playing cards". 

The designs of the courts are done as a double image, so the old in Old School is roughly limited to the mid 19th century. But they are done in a woodblock printed style and the dresses of the courts have a medieval look. It's obviously a fantasy pattern, although the King of Hearts clearly refers to the English pattern with it's suicide king. 
A nice feature are the embellished pips in each suit, not only on the courts but also on all the pip cards. And in each of his decks Leo has a surprise design on the 4 of Diamonds, here a piping mermaid.

 

 

                   

 

The Ace of Spades has a special designed pip, not repeated on courts or pips. Other aces show the embellished pip, which is used on all other cards.

 

               

 

 

 

title card, extra card and back,

the special 4 of diamonds and the moon signs, here gray in the black suits and brownish in the red.

 

 

 

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