Deck View: Pioneers (Red Edition) Playing Cards

Discovery. Liberty. Curiosity.

Following the success of the OG Blue Edition, Pioneers Red Edition Playing Cards brings a bold new colorway to Ellusionist's vintage-inspired series. Designed by Oban Jones, the deck remains fully custom, with every detail... from the tuck box and card backs to the pips, aces, and jokers, painstakingly hand-drawn.

The card back retains its intricate artwork featuring Lady Liberty, a phoenix, and references to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, while concealing a fully marked system for magicians. The striking red colour palette gives the deck a fresh look while preserving the original's period-inspired aesthetic.

Housed in a tuck designed to resemble vintage paper stock, the Red Edition is printed by Cartamundi, delivering smooth handling and durability for collectors, magicians, and everyday play.

Deck View: Crossed Keys (2nd Edition) Playing Cards

Secrecy. Power. Knowledge.

The Crossed Keys (2nd Edition) Playing Cards draws inspiration from the ancient symbol of crossed keys, traditionally representing the gates of heaven and, when inverted, the gates of hell. Created with mentalist Peter Turner, the deck weaves themes of secrecy, power, and hidden knowledge throughout its design.

The elegant Edwardian green card backs feature metallic gold inks that catch the light without overwhelming the artwork, while the tuck box is finished with subtle gold foil accents that enhance its refined appearance. 

With the exception of the Ace of Spades and Jokers, the face cards are pretty much standard but updated with a color palette consistent with the rest of the deck. The elegant back design with gold line accents masks an incredibly intuitive marking system for the clever magician to take advantage of.

Printed on USPCC’s crushed stock, offering a softer feel and improved handling. 

Madison Gold Playing Cards

Sleek. Bold. Collab.

Released in back 2017, the Madison Gold Rvlvrs Playing Cards mark a striking collaboration between Daniel Madison and Ellusionist. This deck embodies Madison’s signature minimalist style... clean, elegant, and crafted for deception.

Inside, the cards feature a metallic gold finish on both the tuck and backs, exuding quiet luxury while maintaining functionality for magic, flourishing, and play. The deck comes with custom Ace of Diamonds bearing Madison’s logo, an extra King of Diamonds with his likeness, and no jokers, reinforcing the deck’s refined simplicity. 

Also, hidden magic reveals like the 9 of Clubs printed inside the tuck add clever touches for performers. Printed by the USPCC on casino-grade stock with a unique Metallux coating, the deck handles smoothly yet feels slightly thicker than other Madison releases.

Available for $60 on Madison's store.

Deck View: Bicycle Black Ghost Legacy Edition V2 Playing Cards

Iconic. Sleek. Familiar.

The Bicycle Black Ghost Legacy Edition is one of Ellusionist’s most iconic decks. This reprint preserves the legendary black-and-white aesthetic and striking skeletal serpent pip on the tuck, but trades the lavish foils and embossing of the first Legacy Edition for a clean, standard tuck case with a classic seal.

Inside, the design stays true to the original Black Ghost style..- white-on-black backs with a bold Rider Back-inspired layout, black-and-white court cards, and deep red pips for Hearts and Diamonds. The Ace of Spades bears the familiar Black Ghost insignia, while the Jokers feature the eerie figure extending his hand, one hiding a Jack of Spades reveal.

Printed by the USPCC.

Deck View: Aurelian (White Edition) Playing Cards

Power. Majesty. Rome.

The Aurelian Playing Cards by Ellusionist are among the most intricately designed decks the company has ever produced. Inspired by Roman Emperor Aurelian, who ruled from 270 to 275 AD, the deck was conceived by Geraint Clarke and illustrated by Oban Jones to capture the majesty and power of ancient Rome with an extraordinary level of detail.

Inside, the cards feature hypnotic back designs and fully custom court and number cards, all rendered with refined detail while still maintaining a familiar structure. The Ace of Spades stands out with golden swords, spears, and whips, while the jokers are a nod to classic Tally-Ho Cowboy designs.

The White Aurelian edition comes in a luxurious tuck box with gold foil and adorned with deep embossing. Inside the tuck, layers of gold foil oak leaf illustrations represent the Emperor’s Civic Crown, offering a regal finishing touch.

Printed by Cartamundi on E7 luxury pressed stock.

Deck View: Prohibition- Absinthe Playing Cards

Floral. Invert. Intricate.

The Absinthe deck is the flashiest in Ellusionist's Prohibition series released 10 years ago. The eye-catching tuck case is wrapped in striking silver foil on both sides. With a matte black finish and intricate foil detailing, the design pops, though some finer details on the back design get lost in the heavy foiling. The bright green seal carries through to the spot and court cards, reinforcing the deck’s bold aesthetic.

Printed on black paper, the deck inverts traditional colors—black suits appear in white, while red suits are replaced with vibrant green. The Ace of Spades continues the floral theme, and the Jokers feature framed designs, one with a motion blur effect that sharpens when spun. The court cards are ghostly and mirrored, with stark white line overlays that vary between organic and circuitry-like patterns. While some enhance the design, others obscure the character details, making the creative intent unclear.

Warrior Playing Cards by Ellusionist

Warrior Playing Cards bring a minimalist aesthetic combined with hidden card revelations. Designed by Romy Meermans from Elluionist, these cards are inspired by the timeless elegance of classic two-logo decks like Jerry’s, Rounders, and Kings. 

Warrior Playing Cards blend style with substance, crafted to honor those who move boldly forward, no matter the challenge. The deck are available in Black and White editions.

The White Version includes a fully customized deck with a double-backed card and a duplicate 4 of Clubs. The Black Version offers a unique Angle Z gaff card alongside the duplicate 4 of Clubs, making each colorway distinct and versatile for magic or cardistry.

Printed on Cartamundi’s luxury E7 slimline stock. Available now for $12.95 on Ellusionist, Warrior Playing Cards are more than a deck—they’re a tribute to resilience and effortless style.