Jazz Stripes Playing Cards

Next up is another abstract design, namely the Jazz Stripes deck.  This deck was produced by Got Magic?, which also brought us playing cards like the Mondrian Broadway deck and the Views deck.



If the tuck box design looks vaguely familiar, that's probably because you've seen this design before - in the 1990s, or perhaps more recently.  The jagged scribble of crayon-like teal with a zig-zag of purple-blue was found everywhere at one time, especially on wax paper cups and disposable plates.  Thanks to 90s nostalgia, this distinctive pattern has seen a revival of interest, and has become a visual meme that has been plastered on everywhere from hoodies to socks, and even to decorate cars!  So why not playing cards?



As an aside, here's an interesting piece of trivia: Before the design went viral in recent times, its creator was unknown.  It took a Reddit fueled campaign in 2015 to find the designer of the iconic pattern.  It turned out to be Gina Ekiss, a designer for Sweetheart Cup Company in Missouri, and Gina is credited on the bottom of the tuck box.  She came up with the concept in 1991, later calling the design "Jazz", given its improvisational feel.  After the Sweetheart Cup Company was acquired by the Solo Cup Company in 2004, the patterned cup has typically been referred to as the Solo Jazz Cup.

Unsurprisingly, given the popularity of the Jazz pattern, the deck has a ready audience.  The iconic Jazz Stripe greets us on the tuck box, which also features the name in silver foil in a stylish yet casual font.  The tuck case has an unusual tuck box that features a cigarette box styled flap, which helps give the deck added appeal and a touch of sophistication.



There's no real surprise with the cards, because they feature the same Jazz design from the box cover, but now with a mirrored look to ensure that the cards don't have a one-way look.



The design of the card backs is a full-bleed borderless design, and by having the pattern go to the edges of the cards we are guaranteed interesting visual fans and spreads.  Not everyone will fall in love with the amount of white-space this produces, but the vibrant neon look ensures that it won't go unnoticed.



The face cards have a standard look, with the exception of the traditional blue being replaced with the same coloured teal used for the splash that is part of the iconic Jazz design.  This helps give the entire deck a closer sense of unity, which standard colours would not have been able to achieve.

While the majority of the cards do have a traditional design, the Jazz pattern finds its way onto exactly the places where you would expect it, such as on a customized Ace of Spades, and on customized Jokers.  These offer a playful look while still making good use of the pattern that is the deck's signature.



Besides the Jazz pattern, the cigarette style tuck case is not the only point of interest for card collectors and cardists.  The deck has been produced by Cartamundi with their Superlux B9 True Linen cardstock, so that means you get cards that are thicker than normal, and yet are much softer than a standard USPCC produced deck.  This stock is finding real favour with many cardists around the world.  Although it handles quite different from your usual Bicycle style deck, it's very durable, and ensures that flourishes can be performed smoothly and with style.

Maybe it's time for you to take some Jazz Stripes for a drive!



So where can you get decks like the one featured here?  Any reputable online retailer that sells custom playing cards should have these available (e.g. Rare Playing Cards).  If they don't, send them to Murphy's Magic, a magic wholesaler with an enormous range of custom playing cards that they sell in bulk quantities to dealers and retailers around the world.