Collection: Black Deck Tiger by Ellusionist

The Black Tigers are the "Custom" deck that pretty much started it all. A custom Tuck and color shift to a standard Bicycle deck set this hobby in motion.
Originally available in two versions, the Red Pips (Pictured) and all white pips, same as the Red but void of any Red variations. The Original release makes it onto my Must Have list because of what they represent in the hobby, along with being printed in the Ohio plant and being on the UV-500 Finish, making this a staple in a Playing Card Collection.

*NOTE: The original Tucks read "Black Deck Tiger" as opposed to modern versions (Black Tiger Deck)

The Collection segment is produced by Anthony Ingrassia of Kardify. No part of this article, images or video can be reproduced without written permission from the author and Kardify.com

EXCLUSIVE: Sky Island Airways Playing Cards by the Blue Crown

Multiple new Black Friday ads have been posted around the internet in the last few days, but none is as intriguing as those from the Blue Crown. The teaser ad features vintage photos of a luxury airline called Sky Island Airways. Little is known about this particular airlines and scouring the internet did not turn up much...

Except for this one little write-up on The News:

In the 1960s, a luxury airline called Sky Island Airways offered an exclusive getaway unlike any other. Passengers were whisked away on private jets to a secluded tropical island known only as "Sky Island". The island offered the very best in food, drink, entertainment, and relaxation. The airline served no other destinations - it was devoted purely to bringing customers to paradise. 

With a small fleet of aircraft and only 10 occupants allowed on the island at one time, it was truly a privilege to access this modern Eden. 

One day, it all vanished. The planes, the airline, and even the island itself. The only evidence that it had ever existed was a supply of the playing cards that were handed out to passengers during each flight. 

To this day, nobody knows exactly what happened to Sky Island or the airline. Did the island sink to the bottom of the ocean, bringing the planes with it? Was it a hoax? A dream?

Thanks to the Blue Crown, here's an exclusive first look at the Sky Island Airways playing cards that have been amazingly preserved for nearly five decades.

More images and information in Part II of this exclusive reveal. Stay tuned!

Collection: Timeless by RSVP Magic

Timeless is another release by RSVP Magic and features early work from designer Lotrek of Half Moon Playing Cards.
A really sharp fully custom deck with a well designed back that lends itself well to the theme and keeps a two way back design dynamic. The deck also features slightly stylized pips, custom Ace of Spades and only one Joker. The deck also comes with two "gaff" cards and a double backer for some nice effects. Note the two images of the King of Hearts below...very subtle.

All in all a very nice concept and presentation, I also like the color scheme of this deck, the greens on the back design are just beautiful. With it being an early work of an up and coming designer and company, this ones in the Must Have category.

The Collection segment is produced by Anthony Ingrassia of Kardify. No part of this article, images or video can be reproduced without written permission from the author and Kardify.com

Collection: Foto Grafis by Paul Michael Kane

The Foto Grafis deck is a celebration of some truly beautiful photography by Paul Michael Kane.

This deck is without a doubt an art deck 1st and foremost, Paul did a nice job of coming up with a nice identification system that matches the concept of the project very well. Every card in the deck is one of Paul's original works and the back design on the Foto Grafis deck actually was the winner of the Bicycle Club 808 Design-a-Deck Contest in May of 2013.

The deck was produced by AdMagic, the cards are a bit stiff and rigid, but again, keep in mind this isn't your typical deck of cards. I enjoy Paul's work and I think he did a stellar job on the deck.

The Collection segment is produced by Anthony Ingrassia of Kardify. No part of this article, images or video can be reproduced without written permission from the author and Kardify.com