Can anyone identify this deck?

[John Spade]

So a while ago I came across this deck at my local dollar store. Can anyone identify the deck, or even the logo? I don't recognize it at all. I tried emailing Cartamundi the following:

Hello, I was hoping that I could get some information about a deck of cards that was produced by this company. The only indicator of who produced is bit of text in the corner of the box that says "Philip Morris 2008". Upon searching for it on the internet, I could find no mention of this deck anywhere, and it is impossible to contact Philip Morris USA to ask for information. The deck is crimson, with a circular design / logo on the front of the box, and the backs of the cards have 2 of these logos. Hopefully someone knows something about this deck, I look forward to hearing back from you. Thanks a lot!
 
This is the response I received:

Hello John, I am afraid I am not familiar with this deck you are inquiring about. As far as I know PM does not put their name on promotional products, so it must be another company that made them.
Good luck with your search. Best Regards, Eve Wada, Account Manager, Cartamundi USA


So it appears the deck is an enigma. I'd be thrilled if anyone out there could give me any info on it!

[John Spade]

Here is the text near the bottom of the box...

[John Spade]

The back design of the cards...

[John Spade]

And finally, the standard Carta Mundi ace of spades.

[Michael]

That is strange. Sorry I don't have any info to shed any light on it for you. It would be strange that Cartamundi doesn't even know about it. I don't have any of my decks printed by them available to look at but I don't remember their logo being written that way either. Then again, I think I only have like two decks printed by them.

[Bill Collins]

I have that deck and an ash tray with the same symbol on it, I still use the ash tray on my desk. I don't remember if it was from when Marlboro had there Marlboro miles or from the Marlboro Gear promotions they use to have.

[John Spade]

I have that deck and an ash tray with the same symbol on it, I still use the ash tray on my desk. I don't remember if it was from when Marlboro had there Marlboro miles or from the Marlboro Gear promotions they use to have.

Found! It was for the Marlboro Flavor Chase Sweepstakes. Here is the ash tray you have:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flavor-Chase-Marlboro-Ashtray-Unused-/160448155732?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item255b749054

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NWT-Marlboro-Flavor-Chase-GLASS-Ashtray-Red-Grey-White-Free-Ship-/261191156817

Need to do a bit more research, hopefully I will be able to find out how many decks were produced, etc. Anyways, thanks so much for the info. It was a lot of help!

[Don Boyer]

Try getting a hold of CartaMundi with this information - and mention that the deck has their "Ace" brand Ace of Spades.  The Ace brand is sort of like their version of Bicycle or Aviator - not the high end stuff.

How's the deck itself?  The last CM decks I bought were CVS store-branded decks - they were better to use as firestarters.  I returned all the unopened decks I still had - and I NEVER do that.  They actually made Mavericks look good...

[John Spade]

Try getting a hold of CartaMundi with this information - and mention that the deck has their "Ace" brand Ace of Spades.  The Ace brand is sort of like their version of Bicycle or Aviator - not the high end stuff.

How's the deck itself?  The last CM decks I bought were CVS store-branded decks - they were better to use as firestarters.  I returned all the unopened decks I still had - and I NEVER do that.  They actually made Mavericks look good...

Yes, I will try to get back into contact with CM soon. I just tried calling the Marlboro customer inquiries number, and they confirmed that the deck was from the Flavor Chase Sweepstakes, but they were unable to tell me how many decks were produced or how many were given away / won.

As far as the quality of the cards go, I'm certainly no expert. I felt an opened deck briefly in the store, and I recall the stock as feeling very thin, and the finish being comparable to "smooth" or "ivory" finish (though I was able to see shallow embossing marks on the card, check out the photo).

I plan on going back soon to pick up a deck or two and examine it a little more closely.

[Don Boyer]

Try getting a hold of CartaMundi with this information - and mention that the deck has their "Ace" brand Ace of Spades.  The Ace brand is sort of like their version of Bicycle or Aviator - not the high end stuff.

How's the deck itself?  The last CM decks I bought were CVS store-branded decks - they were better to use as firestarters.  I returned all the unopened decks I still had - and I NEVER do that.  They actually made Mavericks look good...

Yes, I will try to get back into contact with CM soon. I just tried calling the Marlboro customer inquiries number, and they confirmed that the deck was from the Flavor Chase Sweepstakes, but they were unable to tell me how many decks were produced or how many were given away / won.

As far as the quality of the cards go, I'm certainly no expert. I felt an opened deck briefly in the store, and I recall the stock as feeling very thin, and the finish being comparable to "smooth" or "ivory" finish (though I was able to see shallow embossing marks on the card, check out the photo).

I plan on going back soon to pick up a deck or two and examine it a little more closely.

Don't hold your hopes up too high - I have yet to see a truly good Cartamundi deck.  But I am still up for trying out the Casino Royale decks!

[John Spade]

Try getting a hold of CartaMundi with this information - and mention that the deck has their "Ace" brand Ace of Spades.  The Ace brand is sort of like their version of Bicycle or Aviator - not the high end stuff.

Just emailed CM with the following:

Hello,

I contacted this company a while back in hopes of getting some information about a deck of playing cards I had come across. Since then I have found out more about the deck, and I am hoping that the new information I have acquired will be enough to help someone at Cartamundi recognize this deck and perhaps tell me a bit more about it.

I discovered that the deck was made by Philip Morris for the Marlboro "Flavor Chase Sweepstakes" back in 2008. I contacted PM and they were able to confirm that this deck is theirs, but they were unable to tell me anything else about.

As I stated in my previous email, the deck is mostly crimson, with a circular design / logo on the box and two of these logos on the cards themselves. The text "2008 Philip Morris USA" is written near the bottom of the box.  The deck also has an interesting ace of spades design, which I have only ever seen on the "ACE" brand Pinochle decks. I have attached several images of the box and the cards themselves, for reference.

Would it be possible for anyone at Cartamundi to find out how many of these decks were produced? I'd also be interested in knowing what type of stock and finish were used. I would greatly appreciate any information about the deck.

Thanks so much!

- John


Hopefully I find out something new! Fingers crossed.

[Don Boyer]

Try getting a hold of CartaMundi with this information - and mention that the deck has their "Ace" brand Ace of Spades.  The Ace brand is sort of like their version of Bicycle or Aviator - not the high end stuff.

Just emailed CM with the following:

Hello,

I contacted this company a while back in hopes of getting some information about a deck of playing cards I had come across. Since then I have found out more about the deck, and I am hoping that the new information I have acquired will be enough to help someone at Cartamundi recognize this deck and perhaps tell me a bit more about it.

I discovered that the deck was made by Philip Morris for the Marlboro "Flavor Chase Sweepstakes" back in 2008. I contacted PM and they were able to confirm that this deck is theirs, but they were unable to tell me anything else about.

As I stated in my previous email, the deck is mostly crimson, with a circular design / logo on the box and two of these logos on the cards themselves. The text "2008 Philip Morris USA" is written near the bottom of the box.  The deck also has an interesting ace of spades design, which I have only ever seen on the "ACE" brand Pinochle decks. I have attached several images of the box and the cards themselves, for reference.

Would it be possible for anyone at Cartamundi to find out how many of these decks were produced? I'd also be interested in knowing what type of stock and finish were used. I would greatly appreciate any information about the deck.

Thanks so much!

- John


Hopefully I find out something new! Fingers crossed.

The stock and finish info might not help.  There's no real industry standard regarding stocks and finishes.  It's not like they have Magic Finish or something - MF is a USPC trademark and possibly their patented formula as well.  They'll probably say something generic and meaningless like "linen finish", which will tell you the embossing on the card but nothing about the chemical used to coat it.  And the paper is a whole 'nother ball of wax...

[John Spade]

Still awaiting a response from CM. I have a feeling it will take a while for them to get back to me, if they even get back to me at all...

Anyways, if any of you are at all interested in purchasing this deck, here it is! Bidding starts at $0.99!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181156259573?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

[john]

As I was searching for Bicycle Pluma decks at my walmart I went to a dollar store near there and found the very same deck! Bought one and it isn't terribly bad to be honest. Fans better than any Carta Mundi deck I have ever owned and stock is pretty stiff. Can't complain for a dollar!