First Look: Skulls & Roses Playing Cards

Skulls of death, roses of life... together they embody transformation, rebirth, and the eternal cycle. Created by Bruce Di Quinzio of Kardgic Playing Cards, Skulls & Roses is more than a deck, it is a meditation on life, death, and what lies beyond. Designed during the stillness of the pandemic by Joe Feldpausch, this project reflects on change, beauty, and the unseen realms that connect us.

The tuck case blends vintage cathedral-inspired ornamentation with modern geometric symmetry. Faceted skulls mirror each other across the design, softened by delicate rose flourishes, while earthy tones and intricate pinstripes lend a timeless, architectural elegance.

Inside, the cards continue the theme of duality. Each suit is reimagined with geometric prisms that form dimensional pips, fractured pinstripe borders, and rich tonal palettes, from the deep greys of Spades and Clubs to the maroon elegance of Hearts and Diamonds. 

The custom courts reimagine Kings, Queens, and Jacks as regal, faceted skulls crowned in gothic grandeur, while the Jokers contrast serenity and passion, linked by mirrored roses.

The Ace of Spades, centerpiece of the deck, features a bold geometrical skull within its spade, entwined by organic vine-like details, a striking symbol of transformation and renewal.

Now on Kickstarter.

Sponsored Post: First Look at Fluid Art (Luxury Edition) Playing Cards

Update : Fluid Art (Luxury Edition) Playing Cards now LIVE on Kickstarter!

One year ago, TCC Playing Cards successfully funded Fluid Art Playing Cards on Kickstarter. The deck embodies the motion, flow, and design which draws inspiration from fluid paintings. Due to the popularity of the first deck, TCC Playing Cards has decided to release Fluid Art Luxury Editon Playing Cards on Kickstarter. 

The Fluid Art Luxury Edition Playing Cards give off a completely different vibe and aesthetic compared to Fluid Art Standard Edition and Cardistry Editions. Three editions are available during this campaign, red, blue, and green. Like the previous edition, the abstract design elements are created by allowing them to flow freely after breaking free of the shackles of hard lines. 

The image has rich details and a strong hint of chaos, ever-changing and beautiful. The gradient effect produced when the color flows also adds a distinct layering to the back design of the playing card. According to the campaign page,

After a year of design and refinement, we combined this beautiful abstract art design and tuck cases with foil printing and gilding, as well as special wax-sealed envelopes, along with other innovations in playing cards to finally present it to you. We have made some new and substantial upgrades to the design.

The faces cards have been modified from the classic colors. The originally black pips of the Spades and Clubs have been filled with colors corresponding to the backs of the playing cards. There are rich layers of red, blue, and green, in the pips, but also hints of gold color. The Hearts and Diamonds are now gold in color to ease gameplay and magic. 

The deck is packaged in an equally impressive tuck box. The textured pattern and hot-foiling make the tuck box feel integrated with the pattern.

The tuck box design is further embellished with hints of luxurious gold foil. Each design is different and has multiple layers of color. Colored foiling is also added to the inside of the tuck box. 

Individual decks are wrapped in an extra luxurious black and gold envelope. The jarring contrast between the black envelope and the vibrant colors of the tuck boxes will enhance your unboxing experience. The envelope is sealed with a special sealing wax corresponding to the color of the playing card. This wax seal would ensure that the playing cards are unbesmirched.

The Fluid Art Playing Cards Luxury Editon are printed in Taiwan, with a textured finish.

Sponsored Post: The ARK Light Series

Update : The Art Light Series is now LIVE on Kickstarter!

On September 7th, the innovative team at Ark Playing Card will be launching the ARK Light Series on Kickstarter. This exquisite deck series features 3 decks: Rebirth, Reminisce, and Verticle. All 3 decks are completely unique and like their previous campaigns, these will go fast! Only 1000 standard editions will be printed and 100 for gilded decks. 

For the first deck, Rebirth is inspired by the tree of life. The eye-catching design adopts the shape of the leaves and the writhing posture of flames, extending outward from a central point, symbolizes hope and the beginning of new life. 

This deck will be the first Playing Cards tuck box with a double 3D embossing process. They look extremely luxurious! The purple-gold/platinum-gold colorway gives the deck a touch of elegance and class. The design uses plants and flames that are full of vitality, and the diagonal composition pattern design on the back of the card makes it more dynamic when rotating and cutting the playing cards. 

The second deck, Reinisence features a beautiful Renaissance-style artwork but specially crafted for cardists and collectors alike. The original intention for this deck of Playing Cards was to pursue the purest state of the playing cards themselves. 

The design adopts the style of playing cards from 1831 to 1870. During this period, playing cards had moved away from and lost the label of being ‘toys of the Nobles’, and adopts a mainly graphical design. During that time, the convenient ‘corner indices’ and ‘Symmetrical Court Cards’ have not been adopted. This deck maintains the visuals of the primeval playing cards. 

In pursuit of the purest and most original appearance of playing cards themselves, adopting the style designed from 1831 to 1870. This restoration of the original design has not yet incorporated the appearance of the "corner indices" and "symmetrical court cards".  The deck is packaged in a gorgeous tuck box printed on German imported pearl paper with a delicate and bright texture and featured 3D embossed gilding. Beautiful! 

The third deck, Vertical is crafted for cardistry and features a modern design- sharp and flamboyant! The design is inspired by the visual image of ‘criss-cross weaves’. The tuck box adopts an all-new semi-automatic mechanical box structure with a dynamic single push and pull action for opening and closing the box.

The back of the card is comprised of high-tech-armor-like X patterns and the Vertical LOGO at both ends. Its neat and bold design allows cuts and fans to effectively enhance the visual aspect of your cardistry flourishes. The tuck boxes can also be used in flourishing! The all-new semi-automatic mechanical opening and closing tuck box structure, dynamic single push and pull action. Not only does it represent a new and creative structure, but the smooth sliding visual can also be seamlessly integrated into your cardistry flourish video. 

These are available in red and black colorway. The tuck box features an innovative semi-automatic mechanical opening and closing tuck box structure and Kurz laser gilding. All 3 decks will be printed in Taiwan and pledge starts at $12 on Kickstarter. Once again, these will go fast! Don't miss out! 

Kickstarter: ARK's Kingdom & Kinghood Playing Cards

[Update[  The Kingdom & Kinghood Playing Cards are now LIVE on Kickstarter. Over 4000% funded.

The team from Ark Playing Cards is on FIRE! In the past year, the team has released elegant Card College Playing Cards and the innovative Tempo Playing Cards Series. With excellent creativity and bold design, these two decks have generated some hype and excitement for their respective Kickstarter campaigns.

The KINGDOM & KINGHOOD is the 3rd Project produced by the ARK Playing Cards. It took the team two years to bring it to life. According to the campaign page,

The products of this project have gone through over 100 times of proofing and technical testing and cost more than 100k USD on Research & Development. We hope that by creating this project, we will be able to Take the Luxury of Playing Cards to a Whole New Level.

The KINGDOM project is based on the royal theme of the Middle Ages and its illustrations are drawn from the luxurious style of the Renaissance period. Throughout history, the royal element has always been the most luxurious and noble symbol. Like their previous decks, ARK has built this magnificent "Playing Card Palace", and added the most beautiful illustrations to it.

The Palace-Shaped Gift box is inspired by the palace architecture during the Renaissance period. It adopts a Vertical Packaging Structure composed of three parts: an outer cover, a 4-page fold, and a base. As you open the three parts of the box, the interior of the "Luxurious Palace" will be revealed in front of your eyes. 

The cover is made of high-end Italian iridescent paper, which is covered with delicate Full-page foiled lines. The pattern on the foil copper plate is refined by laser engraving. Four Illustrations of marble sculptures peek out from the Arc-shaped windows, which makes the box incredible!

In order to make KINGDOM Playing Cards exquisite and luxurious during the static display, ARK redesigned the placement posture of the two decks inside the gift box, using the vertical placement instead of the traditional horizontal one. The pair of decks are like two swords inserted inside the base, which looks grand and energetic. Brilliant!

The deck is fully custom, from the Aces, Jokers and the Court Cards. The illustrations are drawn using the classic Sgraffito painted technique. Each illustration was first drawn and colored carefully on the paper and then using high-precision scanning transferring into digital images, the whole process over 3 months to complete. The decks are packaged in an equally luxurious tuck box crafted with process 8 processes of production procedures, the combination of embossing, foiled lines, and illustrations!

KINGHOOD is the second part of the Kickstarter project. The decks are equally creative as they are beautiful. Each card in KINGHOOD is fully customized. The drawing style of the illustrations is classical and elegant, looks like a totem from ancient legends. You will see different images of the cursed orc warriors on each of the Court Cards, with different weapons. 

The tuck boxes with Sword and Knight are the most eye-catching designs on the tuck box. The 3D relief embossing process makes the delicate illustration incredibly appealing. The vertical card box cover is covered with a bronzing pattern, to the relief convex card box better protection, but also make the opening process of the box more ritualistic.

Each boxset contains two decks of cards: one gold and one silver. On the front of each is an illustration of a sword. If you put the back of two decks together side by side, the illustrations will be stitched together to form a picture of knights dueling.

The two decks come in a cool Collector’s Gift Box. This V-shaped side-opening structure gift box makes unboxing incredibly unique and formal. When opening the box cover, the lid on both sides of the box slowly reveals the card sculpture in the middle, as if the gates are opened and the knights clad in armor are ready to fight to the death.

There are lots of cool items to discover for this incredible Kickstarter project, including the KINGDOM Black Pearl Boxset. The boxset looks LUXURIOUS with its black and gold colorway! We were told that this version uses a variety of manufacturing processes which can be only seen in High-end luxury brands and products.

[Update[  The Kingdom & Kinghood Playing Cards are now LIVE on Kickstarter. Over 4000% funded.

Mark your calendar and head to the Kickstarter campaign here! Don't miss out! Pledge starts from $50 for a boxset.

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First Look at the Collection Brick Box by TCC

[Updated] Collection Brick Box NOW on Kickstarter!

We spend so much of our time building our collections, but what do we do with all the rare decks once we have them? Check out the elegant collection brick box by TCC launching on Kickstarter in the next few days. The eye-catching storage is made with leathery material giving the brick box sturdiness that other boxes cannot match. 

The leathery material and flannel lining were specially selected. Whether it is the hands contacting the leather, or the playing card decks lying on the flannel, you can feel the excellent quality of the box. 

Every detail of the box has been researched. The exterior material is similar to the color and texture of leather, which gives the box a minimalist look. They are available in two sizes, 6 decks /12 decks versions, which can accommodate a corresponding number of standard-sized playing cards. 

The lid inlay has an in-built magnetic concealed clasp to keep your decks secure within. The appearance and practicality of the collection brick box are bound to become another highly sought-after accessory from TCC. Half-Brick box is priced at $15, Brick Box is priced at $22. Available in four colors: gold, green, orange, and black. 

Also available during the campaign is the Mystery box, a Collection box filled with Playing Cards for a discount of 45%. The box Includes new releases by TCC as well as some previously announced limited releases. The decks will be selected randomly including Ugly Duckling V2, Monstera, Mobius, Unicorn, Detective Conan, BICYCLE Rainbow V1, and Bund18 .

TEMPO Playing Cards Series on Kickstarter

[Update] TEMPO Playing Cards are now LIVE on Kickstarter! Funded in under a minute.

TEMPO is the next playing cards series by Ark Playing Card Co. The company continues to push innovation and create exciting new decks that will change the way we interact with deck packaging. 

TEMPO is a sub-brand of ARK, focusing on cardistry decks. This brand is born to be innovative with the goal of presenting a unique concept of cardistry to the world and exploring the infinite possibilities of card flourishing by creating high-quality and creative products. 

There are 4 different versions of Tempo:

1. Tempo Original (Pantone neon yellow), limited to 800.
2. Tempo-lab Original (metallics red & blue), limited to 800.
3. Tempo Plus Concept - UV Electro-optic Box Set
4. Tempo-Lab Plus Concept - UV Electro-optic Box Set

What makes these decks truly unique are the tuck boxes. The Tempo Original comes with a three-stage telescopic card-box structure (above), with a trendy color block splicing design, and printed with the Pantone color of the year 2021. It is stylish and gives a pleasant visual experience. 

The Tempo-lab Original comes with a mechanical card-box structure inspired by the roof of the sports car. Gently pull the bottom of the card box with your hand, and the front cover will be lifted up by the hidden "Z" connecting mechanism, causing it to flip up 90 degrees. The whole process seems to be motorized, exuding a futuristic and high-tech feel. 

Inside, the Tempo Original features a cool geometric pattern as the main vision of the back with the popular Pantone Color of the Year 2021, supplemented by fluorescent yellow ink printing. A sleek black line runs across the central axis of the back of the card, which gives the card a dynamic visual element. At the same time, it serves as the visual extension and is in unity with the tuck box. 

Meanwhile, the X frame is used as the main vision of the Tempo-lab Original playing cards. To give the tempo lab a strong flavor of high-tech, the stripe color contrast design is used, offering a special visual experience from both opening and cutting cards. Pantone triple-color metal red and blue ink are used in the printing process, which makes the card shine with metallic luster with each movement. 

Also, during the Kickstarter campaign, the "Plus" Concept editions combine two-color UV light fluorescence technology to create the ultimate eye-candy. Tempo plus adds UV two-color light variable printing technology to the original tempo box. 

Under the indoor lighting, tempo's original high-profile pattern design is completely hidden, replaced by the minimalist style of black and white style. Even card pips in the face completely disappear, leaving only the corner index for easy identification. 

When the UV light is turned on and the UV light shines on the cards, the minimalist design elements magically disappear, and instead, a chic trendy style comes soaring back at you. 

For the Tempo-Lab Plus. Foiling is a manufacturing process that a layer of metallic foil is placed on the surface of the paper to give the card stock a metallic texture. This is the preferred process to portray a sense of the future. 

The front and back of each card are entirely covered with metallic foil that extends to the edge of the card. What's more, owing to the application of sub thin technology, even sides of the deck are covered in metallic foil, the card stock still retains its light and thin feel and handling. 

[Update] TEMPO Playing Cards are now LIVE on Kickstarter! Funded in under a minute.

The Tempo Kickstarter project is scheduled to launch on Feb 1, 2021. Pledge starts from $20. These innovative decks will go fast. Don't miss out!

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First Look at TCC's Fluid Art Playing Cards

[Update] Fluid Art Playing Cards are now on Kickstarter!

Crafted for the Cardists, Flourishers, and Collectors, Fluid Art Playing Cards by TCC Playing Cards embodies the motion, flow, and design which draws inspiration from fluid paintings. Scheduled to release on Kickstarter on 24th September, the deck comes in two color variations, two different editions, a luxury gilded edition, and an elegant collector’s box set... oh there are exclusive backer gifts included as well! 

The deck series is inspired by Fluid Paintings. Pigments flowing freely atop blank canvas, fusing familiar colors with uncharted excitement. The brilliant color pigments, without the confines of lines, bring forth a new experience which is the Fluid Art Playing Cards. This everchanging and dream-like creative technique produces an abstract art that is unique like no other. 

The Fluid Art Playing Cards begins from the Blue Fluid painting and extends from there. There are three editions- Standard edition, Cardistry edition, and Luxury gilded edition (only available with the collector's box set). 

The Standard Edition features standard card faces and retains the standard Ace through King design. The eye-catching and visually striking combo of orange and blue complementary colors permeates every facet of the playing cards. With crisp narrow white borders and simple fresh design, the Standard edition can be defined as Art. 

The Cardistry edition shares the same vibe and color scheme as the standard edition but features different tuck, back design, and card faces. The Cardistry edition does not have pips on the face cards, instead, it is replaced by a unified pattern. 

The vortex-shaped spiraling center coupled with the two-toned corners creates a beautiful belt pattern when the cards are fanned, and elevates the coolness factor to its fullest. The Fluid Art Playing Cards Cardistry edition can be described as Trendy. 

The Luxury Edition is a Kickstarter exclusive on available as part of the Collector’s box set. Luxurious craftsmanship and limited availability add to the attractiveness of the deck. The Luxury edition adopts the standard playing card faces, with numbers and suits, catered toward the collector niche. 

The back design of the Fluid Art Playing Cards Luxury edition was designed in a more advanced style, with all new vein lines, colors, and details. Giving it an elegant and noble vibe. 

The Fluid Art Playing Cards are printed in Taiwan, using Fluid Art Playing Cards exclusive paper stock, aptly named, Fluid stock. It is the combination of imported German black core paper stock + Fluid Stock finish, culminating in an ultra-thin feel, and smooth experience. Perfect for cardistry.

[Update] Fluid Art Playing Cards are now on Kickstarter!

Pledge starts at $8 on Kickstarter from 24th September.

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Less Than 48 Hours Remaining for The Card College on Kickstarter

Less than 48 hours remain to get your hands on the special Kickstarter exclusive box set of The Card College by Ark Playing Cards. The eye-catching ELEGANT box set adopts a structural design inspired by the auto sunroof of sports cars.

When you open the gift box, two pieces of cardboard with logo and text will separate slowly, and the playing cards will be revealed. The mechanical structure of the gift box is only made of paper, which is assembled by hand with 8 pieces of cardboard.

Inside, the set contains a set of Midnight Black & Ice White version of Card College decks. There are two versions- the Elegant Box Set and the Deluxe Elegant Box Set. The Elegant Box Set sports a white colorway with champaign gold foil packaging.

Both sets are only available during the Kickstarter campaign. Don't miss out!

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Here's a Look at the Exclusive Card College Elegant Box Set

The Card College Acrylic Set, Black Gold Box Set, and Walnut Box Set are all sold out! This includes all the Wine red, Indigo blue, Dark green edition decks... they will NOT be reprinted. Due to the high demand and popularity of the project, Ark Playing Cards has released a special Kickstarter exclusive box set.

In order to distinguish the exclusive set from all the unique sold-out box design, this ELEGANT box set adopts a new structural design inspired by the auto sunroof of sports cars. When you open the gift box, two pieces of cardboard with logo and text will separate slowly, and the playing cards will be revealed. The mechanical structure of the gift box is only made of paper, which is assembled by hand with 8 pieces of cardboard.

There are two versions of the elegant box set- the Elegant Box Set and the Deluxe Elegant Box Set. The Elegant Box Set sports a white colorway with champaign gold foil packaging. Inside, the set contains a set of Midnight Black & Ice White version of Card College decks.

The Elegant Deluxe Box Set features a more elegant gold foil on black colorway. Inside, the two decks are similar to the Elegant Box Set but they come with gilded edge decks.

Both sets are only available during the Kickstarter campaign and will produce as many as it is sold during the campaign.

Unlike the other editions of Card College playing cards, the Midnight Black and Ice White editions are printed in Taiwan. Don't miss out!

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Sponsored Post: 5 Things You Need to Know About Luxury Sword T Playing Cards

Since its release in 2016, Sword T Playing Card very well received by both magicians and cardists with more than 100,000 decks sold in total. Launching on Kickstarter soon, the Luxury Sword T Playing Card is the follow-up to TCC Playing Cards's bestseller.

Here are 5 things you need to know about Sword T Playing Card:

1. The design of Sword T was inspired by the hilt. The Sword is the most iconic of all weapons. Throughout history, it has connected various dimensions of human culture: combat, political power, chivalry, craftsmanship, and mythological symbolism. TCC uses the Hilt as the base design element for the deck.



2. Luxury Sword T Playing Cards will be gold embossed hot-stamped, elevating the deck to a whole new level. According to TCC Playing Cards, "Compared with traditional hot stamping, the cost of Embossed hot stamping we use on the Luxury T Playing Card is four times more expensive! But it is well deserved."

3. The tuck boxes are made of luxury Italian imported paper with a shining pearl luster. "This grade of Pearl paper has never been used in playing cards. The reason is simple and obvious, it's expensive. Many of the world's top luxury brands use it for their packaging. It's not just the paper itself that costs a lot of money. It's enough to match this kind of packaging, which is enough to show how outstanding the luxury T playing card is."



4. There will be 12 colors in total. All printed on high-quality German paper by MPC.
Red Luxury Sword T- $15
Blue Luxury Sword T- $15

Orange Luxury Sword T (Limited to 500)- $20
Green Luxury Sword T (Limited to 500)- $20
Sky Blue Luxury Sword (Limited to 500)- $20
Purple Luxury Sword T(Limited to 500)- $20

Gold Luxury Sword T (Limited to 200)- $35
Silver Luxury Sword T (Limited to 200)- $35
Black Luxury Sword T (Limited to 200)- $35

Bronze Luxury Sword T (Limited to 100)- $60
Pearl White Luxury Sword T (Limited to 100)- $60
Rose Gold Luxury Sword T (Limited to 100)- $60



5. There will be a Collector Set (limited to 250) and Deluxe Collector Set (limited to 100) available. The COLLECTOR SET comes with a $25 exclusively limited collection box which is made of leather with flannelette inside, comfortable touch, easy to carry, and provides excellent protection for the cards. A magnetic hidden buckle brings a full sense of ritual when opening and closing. In addition to Red and Blue, it also contains extremely limited colors like Orange, Green, Sky Blue, Purple, 6 decks in total.

DELUXE COLLECTOR SET comes with a $39 exclusively limited collection box which is made of leather with flannelette inside. In addition to Red, Blue, Orange, Green, Sky Blue, Purple, it also contains Gold, Silver, Black, Bronze, Pearl White, and Rose Gold 6 extremely limited decks, 12 decks in the DELUXE COLLECTOR SET in total. The Bronze, Pearl White, and Rose Gold Lxuxry T are specially made for this set, limited to 100 and extremely rare.

Luxury Sword T Playing Cards will launch on Kickstarter on the 16th of June.

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Sponsored Post: First Look at Wolfram V3 Playing Cards

NOW on Kickstarter, Wolfram V3 Playing Cards is the follow-up to the popular Wolfram Collection Set released in 2018 and 2019 by TCC Playing Cards Co. The decks are not only elegant by functional as well.

The Wolfram series is a process of innovation, continuous improvement, and persistence. According to TCC Playing Cards,

Wolfram is not only a brand of playing cards but also a brand that intents to solve the problems in performance. We pay great attention to consumers, use scenarios, and related technologies. So, what problem will the product solve this time?

The Wolfram V3 “Wouge et Noir” is derived from “Rouge et Noir”, the first product of Wolfram’s newly created “W series”. The deck sports a red/black colorway and designed with a minimalist style. The face cards are standard but the suits have been redesigned and the color palette updated to match the black and white borders of the card backs, maintaining familiarity for magic routines.

The deck is kept in a unique and innovative eye-catching tuck case. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it is also extremely functional. The revolutionary tuck case will be a conversation starter in your collection.

Also available during the campaign is an exquisite collector's box set. The luxury gift box will be made with high-grade paper. Also included is a Revolutionary Card Case made out of hand-quality leather. They will be made by craftsmen, who have more than 7 years’ experience and often make high-end leather bags for Calvin Klein Premium and Samantha.

Available now on Kickstarter!

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First Look: Peach and Cedar - Bicycle Rainbow Playing Cards

[Update] The Peach and Cedar Bicycle Rainbow Playing Cards are now LIVE on Kickstarter!

TCC Playing Cards will be releasing TWO Rainbow Playing Cards after the Bicycle Watercolor Rainbow V1 sold out.

Like all the previous decks in the Rainbow series, Peach and Cedar Rainbow decks feature a dispersed watercolor style back design. The fluidity and ungoverned nature of watercolor make the deck aesthetically pleasing. Every single card is unique.

The card backs are familiar yet different with flowers, floral scrolls, butterflies, peacock feathers, and angels holding mandolin (809). Both decks come with the standard BICYCLE face cards but with the watercolor rainbow pattern on the face and back. Truly eye-catching.

The Peach Edition comes in a more vibrant pastel design like orange, pink, and yellow. The overall design is more close to warm colors, like candy in your hand. Meanwhile, Cedar Edition has a cooler vibe. The deck features blue as the main colorway, with green and purple interspersed.

Both decks are kept in a classic designed Bicycle tuck case. The front features a signature Bicycle logo and goddess with the Ace of Spades as background.

Printed by the USPCC with Air-Cushion finish. Each version is limited to 2500 and pledge starts at $12 on Kickstarter on April 10th.

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