Special Content by BoardGameGeek reviewer EndersGame
Transformation decks consist of unique playing cards where the pips have been creatively incorporated into a larger artistic image. After first appearing throughout the 1800s, they faded into obscurity for most of the 1900s. But there was some resurgence of interest in transformation playing cards at the end of the 20th century, especially around the 1990s and early 2000s.
This period saw the creation of several landmark transformation decks which are still highly regarded today. Evident in some of the transformation decks from this era is a greater flexibility used in the placement and style of the pips. This semi-transformation style gave opportunities for more creativity and variety. I consider this to be the golden era of transformation decks, and some of the beautiful designs from this period have never been equalled.
Circus Card Deck (1989) by Frank Robert Schick
Frank Robert Schick created this transformation deck in 1989 using a circus theme that included the expected clowns, musicians, and other attractions of the ring. The pips have been transformed into humorous animals and other circus act figures.
Made in Belgium, this charming deck was produced in a limited edition of only 1000 copies.
Art for the Earth Card Deck (1990)
The Art for the Earth deck is a very well-known transformation deck that was published around 1990 by Andrew Jones Art for Friends of the Earth. All the cards of this deck are by different artists.
Despite the use of different artists, this deck still feels like a coherent whole, with a consistent style, and some of the most stunning and creative transformation designs you will ever see.
Key to the Kingdom Card Deck (1992) by Tony Meeuwissen
Tony Meeuwissen's Key to the Kingdom deck was published by Pavilion Books Ltd in 1992. This transformation deck features illustrations that are inspired by traditional nursery rhymes and poetry. Strictly speaking it is a semi-transformation deck because the pips are not in their conventional positions.
This stunning deck was commissioned by London's V&A Museum of Childhood, hence the nursery rhyme theme. The cards were sold with a book that contained a poem along with a picture of the corresponding card on the opposite page. The cleverness of each card is immediately apparent, making it a work of true art and creativity. It won the WH Smith Literary Award for best illustration and The Designers and Art Directory Association of London gold award.
EPCS 10th Anniversary Card Deck (1993) by Karl Gerich
The English Playing Card Society's 1Oth Anniversary Transformation pack was designed and produced by Karl Gerich.
This deck also took English nursery rhymes as its theme. To ensure that it was an authentic transformation deck, Gerich retained the traditional position for all the pips, and ingeniously incorporated these into the artwork. This deck is another absolute masterpiece of creativity!
Teddy Bear Card Deck (1994) by Peter Wood
The Teddy Bear deck is a custom deck created by Peter Wood, inspired in part by the teddy-bear collection of his wife. All the numeral cards show teddy bears in unexpected or unusual situations, interacting with the pips.
There is an excellent variety among the images included, and the attention to detail is just beautiful!
2000 Pips Card Deck (1999) by Peter Wood
Like the Teddy Bear deck, the 2000 Pips deck of playing cards was created by Peter Wood, and was limited to just 1000 copies. It is another example of an outstanding transformation deck which demonstrates real creativity, as all the pips are cleverly transformed into a vibrantly colourful picture which is unique to each different card.
Peter Wood's love of the natural world is clearly evident, especially with the inclusion of insects, flowers, garden objects, fruits and animals, meaning that lovers of nature will especially appreciate it. The artwork is almost scientific in its detail, and the careful observer will be rewarded with small and charming details.
Under the Sea Card Deck (2005)
The Under the Sea deck of playing cards was published in 2005 to raise money for the Marine Stewardship Council, an environmental charity which promotes sustainable fishing practices. All the images relate to the "Under the Sea" theme in some way.
To make the deck, 54 contemporary artists and illustrators were commissioned to create images for the deck, each one donating artwork. The variety of styles of illustration and design results in a set of cards that is very eclectic in feel, but the quality of the artwork ensures that it remains visually enchanting.
Where to Get These Card Decks?
You'll be hard pressed to find original copies of most of these decks today. However, the good news is that PlayingCardDecks.com is one of the few sources from which you can purchase three other transformation decks that were created by one of the artists featured above, Peter Wood:
- Wild deck ($9.99) ● Busy Bears deck ($9.99) ● Newtropolis deck ($4.99 $8.99)
You can read more about all three of these decks (including pictures of many of the cards) in an article here.
Do you have a favorite transformation deck? Let us know below!
Other articles you might find interesting:
- The Creative Genius of Transformation Playing Cards
- Modern Era Transformation Playing Cards
- The Cotta Transformation Decks
About the writer: EndersGame is a well-known and highly respected reviewer of board games and playing cards. He loves card games, card magic, cardistry, and card collecting, and has reviewed several hundred boardgames and hundreds of different decks of playing cards. You can see a complete list of his game reviews here, and his playing card reviews here. He is considered an authority on playing cards and has written extensively about their design, history, and function, and has many contacts within the playing card and board game industries. You can view his previous articles about playing cards here. In his spare time he also volunteers with local youth to teach them the art of cardistry and card magic.
Last update date: 06/20/20
