May 2019
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This month there was
something to choose again. A while back I had funded a few Kickstarter projects
and four decks arrived this month. Two versions of the "King's Game"
and two versions of a transformation deck, titled "A Motley Pack". The
latter is an edition, based on 40 cards which were published in an Australian
Christmas Annual in Melbourne in 1875. The twelve courts were designed in an
appropriate style and added, just like the two jokers. |
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Normally, when there's a
transformation deck then it has a good chance to be shown at this spot. And
that's
the case this month. However, it's not this Motley Pack. |
I had signed up for
the pre-release and together with several
other collectors I had been waiting for some months, but when the deck
arrived this month it turned out to be more than worth waiting for. The Royal
Mischief Transformation Playing Cards by Patrick Valenza is a follow-up from the
regular Royal Mischief deck. That was our Deck of the Month in February 2016, so
the courts may look familiar as they have the exact same designs. For info about
the artist and that deck, click here
and press 02.
This transformation deck was published by U.S. Games Systems Inc. The box
mentions that the printing was done in China and personally I'm not too happy
with the chosen card. Maybe it's the finish, but they look a bit plastic
and the cards don't really shuffle easy. The edges are done in a shining gray.
But I'm collecting cards for their designs, so these observations don't carry
that much weight here.
Of course the difference
between the decks starts with the aces. Where they were plain in the
regular deck, here they have been transformed and they make a good example of
what to expect on the other pip cards. Patrick has a recognizable style of
drawing, with an eye for details and his sometimes dark humor is often found in
those details. It's a modern transformation deck, but by dressing his figures up
in vintage or antique clothing he captures the spirit of the antique
transformation decks. His designs are original and display his creativity and
humor. Details are not only important in the complete scene, but almost all the
pips have also been transformed by adding small details to make them fit better
in the designs. Take a close look at the heads in the hearts suit! In some
antique American transformation decks titles or captions were added on each of
the pip cards and Patrick Valenza follows this tradition. Everybody will probably
have a favorite card, mine is the "Spoiled Eggs" (7 of clubs),
although there are many others that came close and brought a smile to my face.
And that's exactly what some of the antique transformation cards aimed to do.
They were often published as "cartes à rire".
So take the advice
here below and enjoy Patrick's art and humor by taking a good look at all the pip
cards.....
CLICK
THE ACE TO SEE ALL THE PIP CARDS OF THAT SUIT
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The deck has 52 cards and 2 jokers.
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It comes in a
nice, rigid 2-piece box.
Together
with the sealed box, I received a separate transformed card, a 6 of
spades with a blue back (our deck has red backs).
Interesting is that this 6 of spades has a different design than the one in our
deck.
A separate printed sheet with only these 6's or the start of a second
transformation deck?
No, it was a card, of which the publisher didn't agree with the design. Not pc
enough in the #me too days!?
BACK
TO PRESENT MONTH
