Masquerade: Black Box Edition Playing Cards

The immediate impression that the tuck box of the Masquerade Black Box Edition deck gives is one of style.  Besides an ornately designed seal, it features a black tuck case with intricate linework and curvy art, touched with silver foil and black UV spot printing.



It turns out that our first impressions are right on the mark, because this deck is part of the Artist Series by creator BrainVessel.  This particular deck features the artwork of Denyse Klette, who is a renowned painter, illustrator, and sculptor whose work can be seen in galleries around the world.



Much of Denyse's artwork has a whimsical feel, and that's also the case with this deck.  Once we make it past the classy tuck case, and the cards themselves find their way into our hands, the card backs greet us with the same busy pattern we've already seen on the back of the tuck box.  But now the use of red, black, and various shades of gray, ensures that we miss none of the playful artistic details that Denyse has created.



The relatively straight forward colour scheme persists through the rest of the deck, and all the faces employ the same simple colours, which helps emphasize artwork itself.



Much like the card back design, it's very whimsical, and a closer look at the court cards will reveal faces that emerge from within the busy patterns.



The oversized pips of the Aces continue this light-hearted style.  Even the pips of the number cards have undergone a radical transformation, which ensures that the entire deck has a thoroughly customized feel, that the collector will especially appreciate.



The two Jokers work in tandem as a whimsical diptych.  And yet it's not all fun, but quality too.  The United States Playing Cards has come to the party to ensure that we have cards that are durable, and with an air cushion finish so that they handle well.



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.