John, since that first post I have sold off most of my decks on ebay and elsewhere. I still have about 20 decks that I may or may not keep. Doubt there are any jokers in the lot that you would find interesting. I can send you pics of what is left if you want.

Monkey King Playing Cards by Alpha

https://tccplayingcard.com/products/silent-playing-cards-by-alpha

Released: on November 9, 2023
Shipping: by November 15, 2023

This project was originally going to be funded on the Kickstarter platform in early-November.  Instead the creator has decided to go ahead and create these luxury custom playing cards, making them available for order on the TCC Playing Cards website between 9-15 November, so that they can be shipped to supporters by November 15, 2023. 



This project was inspired by the Monkey King, a beloved and influential mythological figure in China, which originates in the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West.  This classic novel describes how Sun Wukong attains supernatural powers through Taoist practices, but after a rebellion gets imprisoned beneath a mountain by the Buddha.   Five hundred years later he embarks on a special journey to the West to retrieve Buddhist sutras, which he undertakes along with a monk and two other disciples.  The Monkey King characer has been reimagined in numerous forms across literature, drama, and film, and even today is a symbol of wit and courage in East Asian culture.

Monkey King Holo deck

The tuck box is the stunning centerpiece of this beautiful deck, with an elegant plaque that says Monkey King, set inside a rich design that incorporates detailed elements like overhanging eaves, coiled dragons, scriptures, sacred relics, cloud patterns, and mythical beasts, all accentuated by the embossing.



Involved in the design and creation of these custom decks is the well-known Chinese creator of luxury decks: Ark Playing Cards.  So it's no surprise that a special feature of the Monkey Deck tuck box is that it has a pop-out feature opening up to show a larger display. 



The four Aces picture the four stages of the Monkey King's journey.



The court cards depict different figures that are part of the story, including Buddha and his followers, elves and monsters, and powerful demon kings.





The Joker is a magical staff that the Monkey King wields, and can shrink or grow according to need, and even make copies of itself.  When not used, the Monkey King shrinks it to the size of a needle and keeps it tucked behind his ear.

The style of the artwork on the faces merges traditional architecture and woodblock printing, which is especially evident on the number cards.



The cards have a metallic gold foil, which show a rainbow of colours depending on how they are hard up to the light.



Journey to the West Standard deck

Also available is a standard deck which has some different features.  While it doesn't have holo foil, it has a different tuck case.



The design of the card backs has been changed, as well as the colours of the card faces. 



There are modified aces that depict four main protagonists from the story, and the two Jokers combine to form a diptych that shows the White Dragon and White Dragon horse.



Journey to the West Box sets

The above two decks are also available as part of special box sets, both with limited edition numbered sets for collectors. 

The Black Box Set (limited to 800 only) includes both decks in a deluxe black box with an individually numbered seal. 



The Wooden Box set (limited to 300 only) includes both decks in a deluxe wooden box with an individually numbered seal.



The two decks in these box sets are slightly different than the Holo deck and Standard deck, with one being black and gold holo, and the other silver and gold.





In the case of the Wooden Box set, the cards have the additional luxury of gold gilded edges.

As with all the decks that have involved Chinese playing card designer ARK Playing Cards, words and pictures really can't do justice to the looks and quality, until you have the actual deck in your hands, but you will find some more images over on the project page.



Link: https://tccplayingcard.com/products/silent-playing-cards-by-alpha

That a c1918 USPCC salesman?s sample book I picked up a while ago. The seller was overseas, Greece, I think.

If there are any decks in that first pic I sent you are interested in let me know. I am in the process of selling my collection.

Will do