Day of the Dolls Playing Cards. Dead girls were never so beautiful
If we list the most popular themes for playing cards fans according the latest successful projects and classic collecting trends I am sure that pinups and Day of the Dead would be, without doubt, part of that list. But wait, what about mixing both? Do you think it is impossible? No, it’s not. In fact, Stephen Lewis has done it in a set of stunning decks called DAY OF THE DOLLS.
Stephen partnered with the artist Michael Axt to hand draw illustrations and convert them into a unique set of playing cards. This is the very first production by Custom Gamblers, a new business devoted to create custom playing cards focused on original and unique artwork.
These classic pin-up playing cards inspired by the Day of the Dead are simply awesome. On the one side, pinup masterpieces by Gil Elvgren or Alberto Vargas have been the inspiration for a group of cute girls in the most classic poses. On the other side, the popular elements from the Day of the Dead tradition like the skulls, the roses and the face ornaments give all these girls a special touch, something disturbing but attractive at the same time.
There are 14 original pin-ups depicted in the court cards and the jokers, and four different decks have been designed. All decks have the same cards with different tuck cases, color accents and card back. The Burlesque Edition, in blue, with a classic pin-up design, the Sailor Cherry Edition, in red and a nautical theme in the card back and the Bombshell Edition, in green and a WW2 pin-ups inspiration.
Furthermore, there will be a Burlesque Limited Edition, a special print run of 1,000 decks with the Burlesque cards and a embossed and foiled tuck case.
All the editions will be printed by the USPCC in a minimum print run of 2,500 decks (excepting, of course, the Burlesque Limited Edition).
If you like the artworks, you can also include in your rewards 12 different posters with illustrations used in the curt cards, jokers and backs.
I personally like this idea (I do love both themes) and wanted to share it with you. If you like it too, visit the project website and raise your pledge.
Good luck!