Ashik Playing Cards by MAINTEREST

MAINTEREST’s Ashik Playing Cards brings the story of Ashik Kerib to life on Kickstarter through a richly decorated deck inspired by Caucasian art, music, and Sergei Parajanov’s visually distinctive adaptation of the tale. The story follows a wandering musician who leaves his love behind for seven years, carrying his saz as he travels in search of fortune.

The design draws heavily on the visual language of the Caucasus, combining geometric patterns, vines, palmettes, pomegranate branches, and recurring saz motifs. The 12 custom court cards portray characters and figures inspired by the story, with subtly different details on each half of the traditionally mirrored designs. Custom ornamental pips, illustrated Aces, and Ashik-themed Jokers extend the narrative throughout the deck.

Four editions are offered, each representing a chapter of the story: Turquoise, Dune, Pomegranate, and the limited Sapphire. All feature 56 fully customized cards with double-sided cold foil, while the foil color and edge treatment vary by edition. The Sapphire edition adds silver holographic gilded edges and 10 randomly arranged gemstones, making every one of its 777 numbered decks unique.

The standout feature is the gem-set tuck boxes, with hand-set gemstones embedded among the decorative patterns. Pomegranate includes eight gemstones and gold cold foil, while Dune and Turquoise each feature seven. The Sapphire edition is the most limited and collectible, available only through the Artist Box Set and limited add-ons.

The Artist Box Set brings all four editions together with foil detailing, four story cards, and a custom metal bookmark visible through a cut-out window. A separate wooden collector’s box also provides a display-focused way to house the complete collection, making Ashik as much a storytelling object as a set of playing cards.

Printed by WJPC on 300gsm German black‑core paper, finished with a linen texture. Pledge starts at $18 on Kickstarter.

Deck View: White Reserve Note Playing Cards

Vintage. Refined. Elegant.

The White Reserve Note Playing Cards by Kings Wild Project are the fourth deck in the currency-inspired series released in 2021. Designed by Jackson Robinson, the deck draws inspiration from U.S. Reserve Notes of the early 1900s and builds on the artwork of the original Bicycle White Reserve Note.

The deck retains the intricate vintage banknote-inspired artwork while introducing a more refined presentation. The most noticeable upgrade is the use of foil throughout the deck, with metallic detailing applied to both the front and back of every card. This treatment adds depth and highlights the elaborate engraved-style artwork.

The minimalist tuck case provides a modern contrast to the historical card designs, featuring a clean white presentation accented with striking red foil. Printed by the Expert Playing Card Company, White Reserve Note combines classic currency imagery with an elegant contemporary finish.

Fulton’s Black Cat Playing Cards

Fulton’s Black Cat Playing Cards brings a vintage fall aesthetic to life with a playful tribute to the folklore and mystery surrounding the black cat. 

Designed by Ethan Kowaleski, the fully custom artwork is filled with hand-drawn details... look closely and you might even spot the witches.

The deck is housed in a textured and embossed tuck box made with Italian paper, complementing the nostalgic artwork and autumn-inspired theme.

Avaialbe for $20 on Fulton's Playing Cards.

Cursed & Crooked Vol. III: The Goblin King Playing Cards

The Goblin King playing cards is the third chapter in Marianne Larsen’s whimsical Cursed & Crooked playing card series, illustrated in collaboration with Patrick Leis and inspired by classic folklore artists such as John Bauer and Brian Froud.

The story follows Ella, a young girl who leaves her castle to search for her missing father, venturing deep into a mysterious world of trolls and goblins. The Kickstarter project features two unique editions: Crystalwood and Gnarlygrove, each with its own artwork, tuck box, jokers, aces, and metallic edge-gilding.

Both editions feature custom hand-illustrated artwork, embossed and foiled tuck boxes, interior tuck artwork, numbered seals.

The Crystalwood edition uses warm antique copper edge-gilding and a traditional two-way design, while Gnarlygrove features green metallic gilding, one-way courts, and scenic aces depicting key moments from Ella’s adventure.

Printed by WJPC, The Goblin King continues the series’ charming blend of storytelling, folklore, and beautifully crafted playing cards. Pledge starts at $25 on Kickstarter.