Broken Crowns Playing Cards are designed by Mark (@markfallis) & Jenny Fallis (@thejennylaynebakery) currently funding on Kickstarter. The deck is inspired by family heirloom tapestries and various design elements found throughout Mark and Jenny’s home.
This fully custom deck features hand-rendered line-work and illustrations. Months of research went into this deck with many historical references to playing card design are found throughout.
Inspired by designs from the 1700s and 1800s, the initial card illustrated was the King of Hearts. This card set the stage for the entire deck’s aesthetic. Adjectives used to describe this deck has been whimsical, idiosyncratic, and weird.
The ace of spades provides a nod to its back-story with the phrase “DO NOT Sell or Buy for use in Another Deck”. It originally was issued by the government as a way of ensuring taxes were paid by playing card manufacturers.
Each individual pip and indices was hand-rendered from scratch. The Joker pays tribute to its design evolution through history. Examples of this are seen in the name “Jolly Joker” as well as the similar typographical layout of the original Bower Card.
The color palette of the cards carries over to the tuck, however using a different approach. The background is a one-color version of the back design, while the red is only represented on the seal.
Printed by United States Playing Card Company on Classic Bicycle Grade. Pledge starts at $11 on Kickstarter.
