The Real Deal

Somewhere, in some century, someone designed the first playing card deck. Nobody knows the exact place or time or designer; but because of this creator’s imagination, playing cards have proliferated throughout the world.

Collectors, of course, have taken notice because that’s what collectors do. The hobby is growing exponentially. People of all ages, professions, and experiences are joining in the fun with the aid of forward thinkers, like Lee Asher, Paul Bostock, and Alexander Chin.

If anybody knows playing cards, it’s these three. Asher is the president of 52 Plus Joker, the world’s largest playing card collector’s association. Founded in 1985, it helps enthusiasts collect and trade antique, vintage, and modern collectible cards and related ephemera.

Bostock holds the prestigious title, Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards in London, and is a council member for the International Playing Card Society. His passion is the history of English playing cards and he knows well America’s contribution to the hobby.

Chin is an award-winning designer of luxury packaging and an industry pioneer in innovative modern card decks. Chin and other entrepreneurs contend new technology in card design is attracting young