Fulton's Chinatown V2 (15th Anniversary Edition) Playing Cards

Created to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Fulton’s Playing Cards, and fittingly, the enduring legacy of Chinatown... Fulton’s Chinatown V2 returns completely reimagined and elevated in every detail.

This new edition is adorned in foil, inside and out. Every surface has been thoughtfully considered to deliver maximum visual impact. The artwork, meticulously illustrated by Ethan Kowaleski, showcases the legendary dual dragons intertwined among intricate, flowing patterns that define the unmistakable aesthetic of Fulton’s Chinatown. The result is bold, ceremonial, and unapologetically opulent.

The card backs feature rich colors enhanced with radiant Cold Gold Foil, creating flashes of light with every shuffle and flourish. The interplay between ink and foil gives the dragons a dimensional presence—alive in motion, commanding in stillness.

The tuck box is foil stamped on premium paper, amplifying both texture and brilliance. The metallic detailing wraps the exterior in luminous gold while interior foil elements complete the experience, making the unboxing feel like unveiling a treasured artifact.

Printed in China on Premium Cardistry Thin Stock and available for $20.88 from Fulton's Playing Cards.

Mosaic Mantis Playing Cards, Final Week on Kickstarter

Nature meets geometry in Mosaic Mantis Playing Cards, a vibrant, fully custom deck that celebrates the intricate beauty of real mantis species through hand-drawn mosaic art. Created by Improv Playing Cards in collaboration with KTrickstery (Instagram @KTrickstery), this release is designed with both cardists and collectors firmly in mind.

Every element of the deck has been customized—from the card backs and faces to the suits, pips, courts, Jokers, and tuck box. True to Improv’s artistic philosophy, all artwork is entirely hand-drawn, with a firm commitment to never using AI in the creative process.

The concept originated with artist Eva of Improv Playing Cards, who sought to reinterpret the organic complexity of mantises through structured polygonal forms. The “mosaic” treatment distills each insect’s distinctive silhouette and anatomy into bold geometric fragments, brought to life with joyful, high-contrast color palettes. The result is a deck that feels both natural and modern—precise yet expressive.

Each suit highlights a different real-world species. Hearts feature the elegant Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus), Diamonds showcase the striking Conehead Mantis (Empusa pennata), Spades are inspired by the Carolina Mantis (Stagmomantis carolina), and Clubs present the Green Praying Mantis (Sphodromantis gastrica). The Jokers continue the thematic exploration, tying the biological inspiration together in the same mosaic-driven visual language.

The card backs are engineered with cardistry in mind, including differing right and left fan patterns that create dynamic visuals during spreads and flourishes. Combined with the vibrant geometric artwork, fans burst into layered, kaleidoscopic displays that emphasize motion and symmetry.

As part of the Kickstarter campaign, Improv is celebrating community support with an exclusive giveaway: two demo decks of Mosaic Mantis—signed by artist Eva—will be awarded once the project is funded. Each deck ordered counts as an entry, making early support even more rewarding.

The initial print run is with WJPC on their premium card stock. However, a stretch goal aims to upgrade production to USPCC, widely regarded for its world-class handling and finish.

Pledge starts at $13 now on Kickstarter. 

Suits of Life: Illustrated Playing Cards

Suits of Life: Illustrated Playing Cards is a fully illustrated 54-card art deck created by German illustrator Stefan Große Halbuer, also known as Plastic Pen. Designed as both a functional poker deck and a pocket-sized art collection, this Kickstarter project brings together four personal themes: Love, Nostalgia, Food, and Nature... each expressed through a complete suit of hand-drawn, story-driven illustrations.

Every card in Suits of Life is individually illustrated, with each image presenting a small narrative twist. Built on a consistent isometric grid, the artwork across all four suits connects visually, giving the deck a cohesive gallery-like feel when spread out. The result is a playable deck that doubles as a compact collection of 54 miniature art prints.

The project marks Halbuer’s return to fully illustrated playing cards more than a decade after his first custom deck, Geistreiz. Work on Suits of Life began in 2024 and was developed over two years between client commissions, culminating in a completed set of 54 hand-crafted designs plus a double-back card.

Each suit reflects a theme that has shaped the artist’s life:

• Clubs – Pixel Pleasures explores tech and gaming nostalgia. Inspired by growing up in the 1990s, the suit references early consoles, classic handheld systems, and LAN party culture. It serves as a love letter to retro gaming and digital beginnings, blending playful detail with personal memory.
  
  
• Hearts – Magical Love interprets love and relationships through a darker, fantasy-infused lens. While romance anchors the suit, the court cards in particular unfold a subtle, slightly tragic narrative. The imagery balances emotion and mystery, giving the traditional suit of Hearts a more cinematic tone.
  
  
• Diamonds – Tasty Treats celebrates indulgence and comfort. From chocolate and lemonade to craft beer and pizza, this suit embraces life’s guilty pleasures. Bright, playful compositions highlight food as both joy and ritual, contrasting with the more introspective tone of other suits.
  
  
• Spades – Campfire Tales turns toward the outdoors. Lakes, mountains, campfires, and quiet natural moments define this suit, reflecting the calm and creative reset that nature provides. The imagery leans into atmosphere and serenity while maintaining the deck’s structured isometric style.

All pips and indices have been custom-designed specifically for Suits of Life by Jakob Fangmeier, ensuring the deck maintains a unified aesthetic from courts to number cards.

The deck is printed by WJPC on 310gsm German black core stock with a linen texture and butter varnish finish. Pledge starts at $21 on Kickstarter.

  

Deck View: Goshawk No.3 Vintage Playing Cards

Vintage. Luxurious. Classic.

The Goshawk No.3 Vintage Playing Cards by A. Haines Playing Cards is a beautifully hand-illustrated deck inspired by classic decks of old. Inspired by the Goshawk bird, this deck is designed in classic red. 

Inside, the deck includes 100% custom artwork. The Ace of Spades features an illustration of the Goshawk and additional decorations on the other Aces. The court cards are hand-illustrated in deep cobalt, gold, and vintage red, following a unique pattern. 

The back design features classic scrollwork and motifs, designed to look impressive when fanned or spread. Each deck includes unique Jokers and an extra card printed with vintage type. The deck is packaged in a luxurious matte tuck boxes feature intricate old-world designs, printed inside on the inside with an all-over antique plaid pattern. The deck is capped with a custom stamp sticker seal.

Printed by Legends Playing Card Co., these hand-illustrated vintage playing cards are perfect for collecting, games, magic, or cardistry. Available for $18 on AH Playing Cards online store.